Tag: Oliver Bjorkstrand

Posted on

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded Oliver Bjorkstrand to become cap compliant

There are angry fans, there are puzzled fans, there are fans who understand. The Columbus Blue Jackets, who Friday afternoon signed Patrik Laine to a 4 year $34.8 million extension, was on the clock to make a deal and make it fast. The Blue Jackets had to get to a point where they would be cap compliant after signing free agent Johnny Gaudreau and Laine. The odd man out turned out to be Oliver Bjorkstand who will now call Seattle home as he will play for the Kraken.

COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 8: Oliver Bjorkstrand #28 of the Columbus Blue Jackets waves to the fans after being named first star of the game following a 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils at Nationwide Arena on January 8, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)

After news broke about the Laine extension, I took to social media and gave a short list (4 players) who due to their contracts I thought would be moved to get the Blue Jackets under the salary cap. I listed Bjorkstrand as one of those players (the other players listed are irrelevant as they did not get traded.)

Social media saw an uptick in Blue Jacket posts. No matter if fans were, angry, puzzled or understanding, one thing shined through……. they are going to miss Oliver Bjorkstrand who had been drafted by the team developed by the team and became a top six forward on the team. Bjorkstrand spent 9 years in the Blue Jackets organization.

It looks and feels like the Blue Jackets front office rushed to make the move as the team received a 3rd and 4th round draft pick for Bjorkstrand. While understanding this was a salary dump by the Blue Jackets it feels like the return should have been a bit more.

DALLAS, TX – JUNE 23: Kirill Marchenko poses for a portrait after being selected 49th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

There really is no positive spin that will appease the Columbus Blue Jackets 5th line (fan base.) I do believe that by trading Oliver Bjorkstrand the door is now open for Krill Marchenko, who is the Blue Jackets #2 ranked prospect if he has a strong training camp to slide into a starting right wing (RW) role on the team.

In the end something had to give. In these situations the GM makes calls and does a lot of busy work. It could very well be that the 3rd and 4th round draft picks was the best return the organization could get.

No matter what, the Columbus Blue Jackets are in very good shape heading into training camp and the regular season. As for Oliver Bjorkstrand, Seattle please take good care of him. He is a good player on and off the ice.

Blue Jackets fans, leave a comment, give us your thoughts or simply vent, if you like.

Posted on

Oliver Bjorkstrand is the best forward on the Columbus Blue Jackets roster

It always felt like he could give more. Like he was a bomb waiting to go off. It finally happened this season. Columbus Blue Jackets forward Oliver Bjorkstrand took his game to another level. Not just offensively but defensively as well. Bjrokstrand has long been thought of as an underrated player. His 2020-21 breakout seasons showed that he has taken a big step and will be underrated no more.

Scoring was a huge issue for the Columbus Blue Jackets this season. Yet, Oliver Bjorkstrand was by far the teams most consistent player. With 18 goals, 26 assists and 44 points Bjorkstrand became the player many believed he always would be. Bjorkstrand joins former Blue Jacket, Rick Nash to lead the team in goals in consecutive seasons.

TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 19: Oliver Bjorkstrand #28 of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates after scoring a goal at 9:33 against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 19, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Something that should not go untalked about is that Bjorkstrand became a more vocal leader in the dressing room. He also took on more of a leadership role as a whole. Including being part of a small group of players who spoke with general manager Jarmo Kekalainen after the season about the direction of the organization.

Being a natural goal scorer Oliver Bjorkstrand doubled down on improving his defensive game. Which did improve this season. “The Maestro,” as he has been dubbed by teammates has earned the right to be on the Blue Jackets top line. Perhaps that will come next season.

If that is the cans a top line that could potentially pair Bjorkstrand with Patrik Laine could give the Blue Jackets a nice offensive punch that was missing this season.

In a disappointing season, Oliver Bjorkstrand stepped up and showed what is was projected to be. A game changing forward with a wicked shot and now better defense in the mix as well.

What may be best of all is that Oliver Bjorkstrand signed a contract extension right before the season started. A 5 year deal, meaning Bjorkstrand will be in Columbus through his prime years.

COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 12: Oliver Bjorkstrand #28 of the Columbus Blue Jackets poses for his official headshot for the 2019-2020 season on September 12, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

The sky is the limit for the ultra talented Bjorkstrand.

Posted on

Oliver Bjorkstrand has found consistency and may be the Columbus Blue Jackets best player

Embed from Getty Images That shot! That unbelievable, beautiful shot! It is a weapon Columbus Blue Jackets forward Oliver Bjorkstrand has always possessed. It forces defensive players to overcommit while goalies hope it does not find the back of the net. Bjorkstrand is a finesse hockey player. He needed to find a physical edge to his game and improve in the defensive end. Oliver Bjorkstrand has done that.

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach, John Tortorella has seen the Danish forward take a huge step forward in his game. Bjorkstand who in previous seasons would be hesitant to jump into the mix on the boards now leads the charge. He is playing the puck harder.

In 2017-18 Oliver Bjorkstrand’s first NHL season, he put up 11 goals, 29 assists in 82 games played. The 2018-19 season the young forward had 23 goals and 13 assists. The reason, Bjorkstand was asked to pass less and shoot more. After all he is a pure goal scorer.

Oliver Bjorkstrand, projected as a 30 goal 60+ point player when he was selected by Columbus in the third round of the 2013 NHL draft. He carried the Cleveland Monsters (Blue Jackets minor league affiliate)  to the Calder Cup with 15 points in 16 games played during the 2015-16 AHL season.

The always smiling Bjorkstrand has been called “The cold-blooded Danish assassin” by his Columbus Blue Jackets teammates. Oliver was challenged to step up by the Blue Jackets coaching staff. Bjorkstrand got to work. His intense work ethic and drive to be even better has lead to Bjorkstrand beginning to live up to his draft day projections.

This is good news for the Columbus Blue Jackets, as I said before, Bjorkstrand has the ability to put the team on his back and carry them. He is that good and that talented.

In a league full of good young talent, fans of other teams are taking notice of Bjorkstrand. His game has come so far in a short amount of time. The sky is the limit for Oliver Bjorkstrand and the young Columbus Blue Jackets.