Johnny Gaudreau has given Columbus Blue Jackets fans a reason to tune in during this long season for the team. Gaudreau has been as advertised for the Blue Jackets organization and is one of the team leaders. His numbers on a losing team are impressive, 62- points (leads the team,) 45- assists (leads the team,) 17 goals (tied for third on the team.) Gaudreau is on a bit of a heater in his last eight points (two- goals and six assists) in his last four games.
Johnny Gaudreau is unphased with whoever is on the top line with him, be it Patrik Laine, Kirill Marchenko, or Kent Johnson (he has played with all three this season). Also, no matter who is at center on the top line, Gaudreau’s production has been consistent throughout this rough campaign for the Blue Jackets.
Tuesday night, in an OT win against the San Jose Sharks, Gaudreau had a five point night with two goals and three assists. It was Gaudreau’s third career game with five points. Coming off his best offensive season last year, the question was what would Gaudreau do on a new team, and could he possibly replicate some of those numbers?
The answer, Johnny Gaudreau has been nearly a point-per-game player and is on pace for 76 points. If he hits the 70 points mark, it would make the fifth time he has achieved that mark in his career. Gaudreau has been a constant for a Blue Jackets team that has seen lines shuffled throughout the season.
With an injury-plagued season, it is hard to see. But the Blue Jackets could see one of the biggest turnarounds next season. No, really. With a fully healthy roster and young players such as Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson showing they belong and can and are producing, this should give some optimism heading both into the offseason and what lies ahead for the Blue Jackets.
The Blue Jackets have the third best prospect pool and one that is littered with defensive standouts. The team would like to go out and sign some veterans this offseason in order to take the next step in the organization’s retooling.
With Johnny Gaudreau showing both there is no sign of wearing down and that it simply does not matter who his linemates are and a healthy roster, it is not out of the question the Blue Jackets could take a significant step towards being relevant again very soon.
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