According to eliteprospects.com, the Blue Jackets have the youngest roster in the league, so it makes sense that one of their emerging leaders hasn't yet turned 21 years old.
Cole Sillinger, the No. 12 pick in the 2021 Draft, is not your typical 20-year-old hockey player. As an 18-year-old rookie, he was the youngest player in the league, but still managed to score 16 goals, which ranked ninth among rookies in 2021-22.
In 2022-23, he took a step back, scoring just three goals and 11 points in 64 games before finishing the season in the AHL, where he posted two goals and six points in 11 games. His offensive struggles continued to begin the 2023-24 season as he went goalless through the first 19 games of his third NHL season.
However, since Nov. 22, he's played the best hockey of his career, posting eight goals and 12 points in 21 games. In total, he's registered eight goals and 10 assists in 40 games, which puts him on pace for a career-high in points.
#CBJ Sillinger (6) goal pic.twitter.com/Z4lC7Jjnq9
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) January 7, 2024
However, according to his head coach, Pascal Vincent, the ice isn't the only place where Sillinger is making a statement.
"He's got great leadership skills," Vincent said. "He's invested. He's living the right way away from the rink [and] at the rink. He's a good young man, and he plays with confidence right now, and we can see his potential."
However, Sillinger said he doesn't consciously think about being a leader.
"I just kind of be who I am," Sillinger said. "We [have] got a young team and all the young guys are really close [and] really good buddies. And we're just trying to grow and improve together and help this team go in the right direction."
Silly with the first goal of the night! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/IxTjBbcldS
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) January 20, 2024
Over the last three games, Sillinger has centered the team's top line between Johnny Gaudreau and Yegor Chinakhov, and the three have been fantastic.
| Time On Ice | Shot Attempts For/Against | Shots on Goal For/Against | Scoring Chances For/Against | High Danger Chances For/Against | Expected Goals For/Against | Goals For/Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35:48 | 46/29 | 27/18 | 24/16 | 13/6 | 3/1.49 | 2/3 |
Sillinger said his line-mates provide a good mix on the ice.
"They're fast players," Sillinger said. "[They're] offensive players. They like to play with the puck and have puck possession. So I just try to compliment them anywhere I can. I think we're playing our best when we're [playing] simple, we're on the forecheck, creating pucks over and getting that o-zone time."
Sillinger said he thinks they could capitalize more on their chances, which is evident in the chart above.
After a tough sophomore campaign, Sillinger has bounced back in a big way. His performance over the last two months should give both the fans and the organization hope that Sillinger will be a core piece of this team for a long time.
