With his first two assists of the season against his former club, the Blackhawks, on Wednesday, Blue Jackets defenseman Adam Boqvist showed flashes of the player he can be.
The No. 8 overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, Boqvist arrived in Columbus in the Seth Jones trade in 2021, but has played in just 104 games over the two-plus seasons he's been a Jacket due to injuries and being a healthy scratch.
The latter is why he's appeared in just six of the team's 20 contests in 2023-24, as he's part of the glut of defensemen the Blue Jackets have on their roster and before Wednesday, struggled when he was on the ice.
However, with Damon Severson out for approximately six weeks with an oblique injury, there's an opportunity for someone to step up in his absence.
Another great cross-ice feed, this time it's Boqvist (27) finding Marchenko (86) at the left doorstep. #Blackhawks 1-6 #CBJ https://t.co/O0v1Qet5Ql
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) November 23, 2023
In his 104 games as a Blue Jacket, Boqvist has posted 16-32--48, which is a 37-point pace over an 82-game season.
#CBJ Boqvist goal pic.twitter.com/OCnWN6QBPK
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) February 23, 2022
The offensive talent is clear with Boqvist, but he hasn't been able to put it all together yet.
Will he take advantage of the opportunity presented to him?
