One of the last moves left for the Columbus Blue Jackets is Cole Sillinger’s next contract.
The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline said last week on X (formerly Twitter) that it’s expected the club and Sillinger will agree on a two-year contract. More to come there.
Sounds as if #CBJ and restricted free agent Cole Sillinger are within striking distance of a contract. Will likely be a two-year deal.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) August 9, 2024
Entering last season, Sillinger had a lot to prove.
In July 2023, we asked three questions about Sillinger and his game after his first two NHL seasons. Sillinger struggled through his second NHL season as injuries and offensive impotency plagued him. This after scoring 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists) in his rookie season of 2021-22.
While the team suffered through one of its worst seasons in 2023-24, Sillinger rebounded nicely as he was among the lone bright spots.
Last season, Sillinger registered a career-high 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) in 77 games, played his most minutes (157:07) on the penalty kill, and drew rave reviews all season long for his 200-foot game.
On Jan. 6, Sillinger potted his second career hat trick during a 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild.
Sillinger's fifth of the season, assisted by Bean and Boqvist! pic.twitter.com/p5FsRqs1mf #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 7, 2024
Sillinger's sixth of the season, assisted by Marchenko. pic.twitter.com/x4rRsnECsl #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 7, 2024
The second career hat trick for Cole and his seventh goal of the season. Assist to Boqvist. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/vhXAs8LF4t
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 7, 2024
At Sillinger's end-of-season press conference in April, he assessed his game through three seasons and the way the league is trending.
"I don't think I'm an established veteran," Sillinger said. "I think I have a lot to learn. But with that being said, 200-plus games now, it's crazy that (I've) finished my third year.
"Obviously, I feel like you always try to learn new ways and grow and treat your offseason a little differently because game's evolving, times are changing, players are getting faster, more skilled quicker.
"I'm always trying to look for ways to make my offseason a little different for the better, and that's something I'll be doing this summer as well."
Columbus is hoping within the next few seasons, the main position that’s eluded them for most of the franchise’s existence is finally a strength when you look at Adam Fantilli, Sillinger, and 2024 fourth-overall pick Cayden Lindstrom down the middle at center.
For this season at least, Sean Monohan isn’t a bad guy to fill the first-line center spot and be a guy that Fantilli, Sillinger, and eventually Lindstrom learn under.
