Cole Sillinger was one of the few pleasant storylines from the 2023-24 Columbus Blue Jackets.
After a tough sophomore season in which he scored just 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 2022-23, Sillinger bounced back this past season with a career-high 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists). The 19 helpers also set a career watermark.
Sillinger is still only 20 years old and has three NHL seasons under his belt, with 220 career games to his credit.
Does he feel like one of the veterans on the team now as he prepares for his fourth NHL season?
"I don't think I'm an established veteran," Sillinger said at last week's end-of-season media availability. "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."
What has Sillinger's experience been like for him alongside fellow teammates like James Malatesta, Gavin Brindley, and Luca Del Bel Belluz, who are now getting a taste of life in the NHL?
"It's weird because they're my buddies and obviously have more games than them or more experience," Sillinger said. "For me, over the last three years, it's been peaks and valleys, up and down.
"Those are messages that I feel like I can relate if any other players go through that and that it's a process.
How can Sillinger use the experience of having 200 NHL games under his belt to his advantage next season?
"I think just the mental side of everything," Sillinger said. "Understanding more about the game and the way I need to prepare and I need to play to have success and to help the team out to have success.
"Some leadership skills and things that I value and I watch to see and what I take upon from our older veterans and guys around our locker room."
Through Sillinger's success this past season, was there one part of his game that had a big improvement compared to last year?
"I think the mental side of the game," Sillinger said. "I always knew I'm a good player and a dedicated guy, and a guy that always wants to get better. I think for me, when you have those little dips or moments where you're not feeling great, or the puck's not going your way, to be able to stop it and reset versus letting that drag on.
"That's a big difference from my first couple years to this year, is that if I was to get in that state then it was to drag along for a while, and I had a tough time stopping it and resetting and getting back to knowing where I can be or I can play.
"I think that's the biggest difference honestly."
Still just 20 years old, what kind of leadership impact did Sillinger take on this year?
"For me, when we have those guys come in, they're my buddies, and I watched Cleveland a lot with my brother being there and with me being there last year trying to make a playoff push," Sillinger said.
"I think the leadership role I took on this year is when those guys came up, make sure they feel welcome, feel part of the team, and just kinda go from there.
"If they have any questions, to try to guide them in the right way and help our culture go the way we want it to go."
What's the focus for Sillinger's game this summer?
"Honestly, the agility," Sillinger said. "The lateral movement. I think that's one thing where I can add to my game, and anticipating plays more in the O-zone, I think will lead to more looks, more chances, more opportunities.
"As the season went on, I was getting better and better at that to create space for whoever I was playing with or myself. And to get more O-zone chances. The game is so fast now, it's not how fast you can go in a straight line, and you see guys that are so agile on their feet.
"I think I can add that to my game and just keep improving on the little details in my game. Face-offs, shooting the puck, I think that's one thing I can do even more is when I get myself in those positions to shoot the puck and score more goals."
Sillinger's anticipated growth and rebound was a critical part of the plan going into the season, and it's important to see him continue that growth next year.
