Ohio Jones
Game on...
The Blue Jackets added to their blueline depth today with a 5-pack of speculative Free Agent acquisitions:
LD Sam Klassen (21, NYR) is a steady, reliable defender. At 6-1/196 he has only average size for a stay-at-homer, but he’s got the game for it. After being a -21 in his rookie season in the dub, he posted three consecutive “plus” seasons of +5, +27 and +34. He’s buried deep in the NHL Rangers’ system, so he’ll have to compete for ice time in Hartford.
RD Carl Hudson (24, FLA) is a big 2-way defender fresh off a point-per-game senior season at Canisius. His college career shows an offensive streak along with a lot of bite, but he needs to improve his defensive focus and discipline. He didn’t look out of place in a late-season audition with the Amerks, and will have plenty of opportunity within a gutted Florida system.
RD Sam Lofquist (20, Free Agent) helped turn around the Storm’s season after leaving the NCAA for the OHL. Says our own Brock Otten, “he's got very good size at 6'2, 200lbs. He's mobile, physical and he can perform offensively. He's actually got a cannon of a shot from the point and generates a lot of offense from it.” The longer OHL season wore on Lofquist, so he may have something to prove by coming back for an OA season.
RD Steven Tarasuk (20, Free Agent) was Mr. Everything for the London Knights this season, playing almost 30 minutes per game including both special teams. He was among the OHL’s top scorers among defencemen and defends very well, but small size (5-10, 175) and only average skating may limit his pro potential.
LD Marc-Antoine Desnoyers (21, Free Agent) was the top defenceman on a potent Voltigeurs squad this season, playing major minutes with top prospects like Sean Couturier and the Jackets’ own Gabriel Dumont. He was among the league’s top blueliners in goals and points, and has NHL size for a two-way defenceman (6-1, 185), so he should manage to earn a pro contract in camp this fall.
The Jackets are in the lottery mix for as many as 15 other UDFAs including notable names at every position, but first they will go through a second round of bidding versus Pittsburgh for LW power forward Kyle Greentree.
LD Sam Klassen (21, NYR) is a steady, reliable defender. At 6-1/196 he has only average size for a stay-at-homer, but he’s got the game for it. After being a -21 in his rookie season in the dub, he posted three consecutive “plus” seasons of +5, +27 and +34. He’s buried deep in the NHL Rangers’ system, so he’ll have to compete for ice time in Hartford.
RD Carl Hudson (24, FLA) is a big 2-way defender fresh off a point-per-game senior season at Canisius. His college career shows an offensive streak along with a lot of bite, but he needs to improve his defensive focus and discipline. He didn’t look out of place in a late-season audition with the Amerks, and will have plenty of opportunity within a gutted Florida system.
RD Sam Lofquist (20, Free Agent) helped turn around the Storm’s season after leaving the NCAA for the OHL. Says our own Brock Otten, “he's got very good size at 6'2, 200lbs. He's mobile, physical and he can perform offensively. He's actually got a cannon of a shot from the point and generates a lot of offense from it.” The longer OHL season wore on Lofquist, so he may have something to prove by coming back for an OA season.
RD Steven Tarasuk (20, Free Agent) was Mr. Everything for the London Knights this season, playing almost 30 minutes per game including both special teams. He was among the OHL’s top scorers among defencemen and defends very well, but small size (5-10, 175) and only average skating may limit his pro potential.
LD Marc-Antoine Desnoyers (21, Free Agent) was the top defenceman on a potent Voltigeurs squad this season, playing major minutes with top prospects like Sean Couturier and the Jackets’ own Gabriel Dumont. He was among the league’s top blueliners in goals and points, and has NHL size for a two-way defenceman (6-1, 185), so he should manage to earn a pro contract in camp this fall.
The Jackets are in the lottery mix for as many as 15 other UDFAs including notable names at every position, but first they will go through a second round of bidding versus Pittsburgh for LW power forward Kyle Greentree.
