Summer Spotlight: Blankenburg remains a spark plug for Blue Jackets

Number:77

Birth date: May 12, 1998 (age 25)

Birthplace:Washington, Mich.

Height, Weight:5-9, 177

2022-23 Stats:36 GP, 4-10-14

Contract: Signed through 2023-24 season (One year remaining until RFA status)

Johnny Gaudreau knows what it takes to not just survive and thrive as an undersized forward in the NHL.

It's an entirely different story to do it on the defensive side, yet Nick Blankenburg has shown he can make a difference on that end through two NHL seasons.

The 5-foot-9 blueliner stepped right into the NHL after four years at the University of Michigan -- as well as a junior career full of ups and downs -- and became a fan favorite for both his skill and his fearless nature in approaching the game.

He's not only been an effective player, he's been a spark plug at times, including early this past season when his insertion into the lineup keyed two quick victories in a row -- and caught the eye of Gaudreau.

"Whew, he is a fun player to watch," Gaudreau said at the time. "It's great to see another college kid jump right in the NHL. He sees the ice so well, he's physical, he's smart in his D zone -- he's a great little player. It's going to be fun playing with him.

"You have one of the smallest guys on the ice playing the body, jumping up in the play, making offensive zone plays, responsible in his D zone. He keeps building off of that and keeps working like that, he's going to be a really good player in this league for a long time."

Injuries have thus far prevented Blankenburg from carving out a full-time spot in the lineup, but when he's healthy and on his game, there's no denying what he brings to the Blue Jackets.

Top Moment of 2022-23

Blankenburg was a healthy scratch at the start of the season for the Blue Jackets, but his first two games in the lineup showed what he can bring to the table. In his first contest, his hit on Vancouver forward Vasily Podzolkin turned heads and momentum in a CBJ win, and then on Oct. 20 against Nashville, Blankenburg scored the game-winning goal. The Nationwide Arena crowd was brought to its feet with just 1:23 to go, as Jakub Voracek found Blankenburg sneaking back door, and the former high school forward made no mistake with his finish past Kevin Lankinen to give the Jackets a 4-3 lead in what would be a 5-3 victory against the visiting Predators.

Blankenburg's Top Highlights

Stat to Know

Blankenburg is a unique player in that he brings offense and brings physicality in equal measures. Among Blue Jackets defensemen to play at least 10 games last season, he was the only one to finish in the top five in both points per 60 minutes (0.83) as well as hits per 60 minutes (5.27) at 5-on-5.

2023-24 Expectations

It could be an interesting season for Blankenburg, as the Blue Jackets have a lot of options to play on the right side of the defense. With only 43 NHL games under his belt, he could see some time in the minors to get more seasoning, but betting against Blankenburg to make the opening day roster seems to be folly considering how he thrives on beating expectations. If Blankenburg can stay healthy -- his biggest challenge to this point in the NHL -- he should be a big part of the defensive corps this season.