Confirmed with Link: Blue Jackets Sign Jordan Maletta (OHL)

[Brock]

The Columbus Blue Jackets just announced that they have signed OA forward Jordan Maletta of the Niagara IceDogs (OHL).

http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=874821

I had Maletta as the 3rd best OA available from the league this year.
http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/2016/01/sunday-top-10-overagers-worth-signing.html

Would be happy to answer any questions you might have about him.

Click to read more...

 

[WannabeFinn]

Why wasn't this guy drafted? Certainly has the size and apparently a knack for goal scoring.

 

[ndd17]

A few number of draft picks at next two drafts will compensate signing undrafted players. Good or bad?
Time will tell.

 

[Johansen2Foligno]

Campbell replacement at some point?

 

[Tulipunaruusu*]

Campbell replacement at some point?

Looks like it has already happened at the Bruins.

 

[WannabeFinn]

Campbell replacement at some point?

I'd certainly hope so. He's got size and can win faceoffs, better option than anyone else we have at 4C

 

[Samkow]

Why wasn't this guy drafted? Certainly has the size and apparently a knack for goal scoring.

Skating.

Even if he's unlikely to make it to the big show, nice to have a free lottery ticket.

 

[blahblah]

Looks good, I wish him well.

 

[Brock]

Why wasn't this guy drafted? Certainly has the size and apparently a knack for goal scoring.

To give you an idea of where he was at in his draft season, here's my rankings from 2013.

http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/2013/05/my-final-top-50-ohl-players-for-2013_7198.html

Maletta was a 1st round pick in the OHL, but struggled with consistently using his size in his initial seasons. The work ethic and engagement away from the puck wavered and that's why he fell out of favour in Windsor. In Niagara, he got better and better every season. He's obviously corrected all those areas (and improved his skating as alluded to by another poster).

Could definitely develop into a solid 4th line center who can put the puck in the net. Best case scenario, a Daniel Winnik type.

 

[JohnnyJacket13]

Is he close to being an NHL player? Don't know much about this guy other than he's improved a lot the past 2 seasons and is a big guy that is good at face-offs

 

[blahblah]

Is he close to being an NHL player? Don't know much about this guy other than he's improved a lot the past 2 seasons and is a big guy that is good at face-offs

The AHL is the next step in progression. Wouldn't even think about him in the context of the NHL yet.

 

[JacketsFanWest]

Sounds like essentially a replacement for Lukas Sedlak in the prospect pool.

 

[Viqsi]

Sounds like essentially a replacement for Lukas Sedlak in the prospect pool.

...and here I was thinking exactly the same thing...

 

[Jackets Woodchuck]

Any chance of him coming to Cleveland to finish this season?

 

[SavesEmNot]

Any chance of him coming to Cleveland to finish this season?

Yes, if Niagara is eliminated before Cleveland's season ends. Their first playoff series begins Thursday and will end no later than April 5th. They could advance, though, and they're the higher seed, so I wouldn't count on seeing Maletta just yet.