Is Jake Bean arriving?
During the off-season, we wrote about possible trade targets in the event general manager Jarmo Kekalainen wanted to move on from players on his roster. We talked about players who needed to prove themselves.
Early into the 2023-24 season, if there is one Columbus Blue Jacket who has impressed so far, consider Mr. Bean on the shortlist.
In three games, Bean has two points (one goal, one assist).
Bean has played as a pair with Erik Gudbranson in all three games this season. With the absence of Zach Werenski, they formed the first pairing in each of the last two games.
Jake Bean's goal ties the game at 1-1 at 8:24 of the first period. Birthday boy Adam Fantilli picks up his first career point on the primary assist. Kirill Marchenko gets the secondary assist. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/NXLBhQRp4H
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 12, 2023
In 5v5 play, Bean is seventh in xGF/60 (2.46) and eighth in xGA/60 (2.95). The Jackets have not allowed a goal when Bean and Gudbranson are on the ice at 5v5. Bean is third in TOI/GP (16:07).
| Time On Ice Per Game | Corsi For Per 60 | Corsi Against Per 60 | High Danger Goals For Per 60 | High Danger Goals Against Per 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:19 | 65.33 | 58.26 | 1.77 | 0 |
Now, it's not the optimal lineup to have Bean and Gudbranson as your first pairing, but their numbers can appear decent when used in the right situations. But it's hard to argue with the early returns.
"Bean has been extremely good," head coach Pascal Vincent said before Monday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. "I feel like his game is coming together. Strong on the puck. He's skating, he's making plays, he's creating offense. Reliable defensively. Very impressed with the man."
Bean played 14 games last season, scoring six points (one goal, five assists) before suffering a torn labrum. Working his way back from shoulder surgery, Bean is feeling comfortable back out on the ice.
"Just kind of a feel what I was looking for," Bean said. "I think I feel what I want to feel. And I'm excited to continue to go out there with that feeling and keep getting more comfortable with it.
"It's kind of a mindset but I think you only get it when you feel a certain way. Comfortable with the puck on your stick. You want the puck but more of an attack mentality than sitting back and letting it happen."
Impactful returns!
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) October 16, 2023
Jake Bean and Justin Danforth are back from shoulder issues that cost them much of last season, and they're contributing early in the season for the @BlueJacketsNHL #CBJ pic.twitter.com/tXGbWidgr8
In the last season of a three-year contract and making $2.33 million, Bean is eligible for RFA arbitration after the season.
In his first season with the Jackets in 2021-22, Bean played in 67 games, the most in his five NHL seasons, and he scored career highs in points (25), goals (seven), and assists (18).
While it's way too early to say whether the production at this level is here to stay, Bean needed this start to the season. And hopefully, it continues.
