Adam Boqvist is off the schneid.
At the 4:41 mark of period two between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings, the 23-year-old defenseman scored his first goal of the season.
First goal of the year by Boqvist makes it a 2-1 game. Assists to Jenner and Roslovic.pic.twitter.com/QDQEbnTYML #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 21, 2024
The goal at that juncture was huge as it cut the Blue Jackets' deficit to one goal and made it 2-1. LA went on to win 5-1 as Bovqist ended up providing the only offense for the night.
Boqvist has eight points this season (one goal, seven assists). Tuesday night's goal is his first since Mar. 21, 2023, when he scored twice in a wild 7-6 overtime win at the Washington Capitals.
Boqvist signed a three-year extension during the 2022 summer carrying a cap hit of $2.6 million.
Billed as an offensive-defenseman, we've seen the scoring prowess at times throughout his Blue Jackets tenure dating back to 2021-22.
If you read my SvoNotes from yesterday, Adam Boqvist is pretty happy with how his game has developed this year, but he's wanted to hit the scoresheet a little more. Now he's on the board with his first goal of the year. #CBJ
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) February 21, 2024
It's already been three seasons in Columbus and five years total in the NHL, and as he's still very young, he's still trying to carve out his spot for the Blue Jackets and in the league.
Part of the problem has been health, as he's never really come close to playing a full season. He's also been healthy scratched throughout this season and has played in 24 of the team's 54 games.
Boqvist's high water mark is 52 games in 2021-22 when he set a career-high with 11 goals. In only 46 games last season, he set his best point total with 24. He had a broken foot last season and a should strain earlier this year.
The bad luck continued when he was injured on the bench when an errant puck hit him in the mouth in Calgary in January. Friendly fire was all it was as Cole Sillinger flipped the puck into the bench and caught his teammate.
Boqvist lost three teeth and missed the next three games.
I almost feel bad posting this because its not the best shot of Adam Boqvist (blame the photographer!), but he was willing to show off the new smile after he was hit in the chops by a puck on the bench back in Calgary. Likely to return Saturday. pic.twitter.com/3gt03VpOAL
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) February 8, 2024
There have been positive developments for Boqvist playing alongside fellow offensive-defenseman Zach Werenski.
| Time On Ice Per Game | Corsi For Per 60 | GF/60 | GA/60 | High Danger Goals Against Per 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201:48 | 69.87 | 3.87 | 1.49 | 1.19 |
Jeff Svoboda of Bluejackets.com chatted with Boqvist recently and pointed out how the Blue Jackets have a positive percentage in shot attempts since Jan. 1 (52.02 through Feb. 20, 2024, Natural Stat Trick) when the defenseman is on the ice.
"When you play against top lines, it gives you confidence to handle those guys," Boqvist said. "Obviously they’re going to make plays because they're so good, but I just want to be the best Adam I can be every day and compete every game, every shift. I'm sure the coaches have seen that I'm putting in the work. I'm just going to take steps every game here and see where it can take me."
With a new general manager on the horizon for the Blue Jackets and a prospect-heavy pipeline, including defensive players like David Jiricek and Denton Mateychuk to be on the Blue Jackets soon, the future is a bit blurred in terms of who might still be on the team next season and beyond.
That's why it's so pivotal for players like Boqvist to prove their worth right now.
Boqvist and the Blue Jackets look to cap off a winning road trip tonight when they take on the Anaheim Ducks from Honda Center.
