Lane Pederson might not yet have the nickname "Suitcase" that former Blue Jackets forward Mike Sillinger earned throughout his NHL career, but it is fair to say he knows how to pack and unpack.
Pederson has been a traveling man the past three seasons, playing for four different NHL teams and four separate AHL squads as well. He's had to become comfortable in the uncomfortable, knowing that at any moment he might have to fill up the bags and head somewhere else.
Pederson hopes to make most of opportunity with Blue Jackets
A traveling man the past three seasons, the center/wing wants to make an impact in his latest stop
The latest stop is Columbus, as the Blue Jackets claimed Pederson off waivers Jan. 28 from Vancouver, one day after the team actually played against the center/wing and the Canucks.
His hope now is to stick with the Blue Jackets, and to that end, Pederson made his debut with the club by playing in both games over the weekend at Dallas and Arizona.
"I mean, it's definitely not easy," he said of moving around so much. "I'm hoping here in Columbus I can find a home and stick and be an everyday player and be someone that can be relied upon in this organization. I'm super thankful and grateful for the opportunity, and hopefully I make the most of it."
Pederson was kept off the score sheet in his first two contests in union blue, but he'll have the rest of the season to try to make an impact. The 25-year-old native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, has been a consistent scorer at the AHL level, including 17 goals this season in 18 games for Abbottsford, the top farm team in the Vancouver organization.
Through 227 AHL games over six seasons, Pederson has posted 84 goals and 166 points, production that has always left him on the NHL bubble. But in 57 NHL contests over the past three years with Anaheim, San Jose, Vancouver and now Columbus, he has posted two goals and six points.
He has the belief, though, that he can be an NHL contributor as he gets more time, and the opportunity in Columbus could just be the one where he's able to break though.
"I think I'm a 200-foot player, a guy that will work hard in both zones," said Pederson, who has played center at the minor league and junior levels but mostly wing in the NHL. "I think I'm an offensive guy who can help chip in. I haven't really produced at this level, but I'm hoping with some time and some more reps that I can make that happen. I'm just going to compete and work hard every night."
Before Pederson took the ice for the Blue Jackets for this weekend's games, during which he averaged 8:20 of ice time and had one shot on goal, head coach Brad Larsen said he noticed the 6-0, 192-pound Pederson's size and speed during team practices.
"I've liked what I've seen in practice," Larsen said. "You watch him close in practice, he has some pace, he's excited and hungry, which is great to put in your lineup at this point in the season."
Pederson didn't join the Blue Jackets until Feb. 11, two weeks after he was claimed, because of work visa issues. He finally joined the team for its morning skate that day in Toronto, quickly striking up a conversation with fellow Saskatchewan native Cole Sillinger.
After that day's game, he was able to return to Columbus with the team and attend the squad's Super Bowl party that night, a quick way to try to get to know the players and start building relationships. While he didn't know any Blue Jackets players previously from his time in hockey, he said he's had no issues fitting in with the room.
"You know what, the guys here have been super welcoming, from management staff to everyone in the locker room here," Pederson said. "They've made it super easy on me so far. It's only been a couple of days, but everyone has been super welcoming, made me feel part of the team. It was a bit of a transition period for sure, just getting comfortable and getting to know the guys and them getting to know me, but it helps when you start playing games and you're in the mix and you get to play hockey."
A restricted free agent at the end of the season, Pederson has a chip on his shoulder and the motivation to show he has what it takes to make it in the NHL. And with a chance to show it in a new place, Pederson hopes everything finally comes together with the Blue Jackets.
"It's a huge opportunity for me and where I'm at in my career," Pederson said. "I'm really appreciative of them taking a chance on me and giving me this opportunity. I'm just excited to move forward here one day at a time, game by game, and prove what I think to be true and help this team win some hockey games."
