Get to know Nick Blankenburg - newest signing for the CBJ

[Youngguns80]

Defying the odds: Nick Blankenburg’s rise from walk-on to Michigan hockey captain

On a team stocked with NHL draft picks, undrafted Blankenburg is the heartbeat of the fourth-ranked Wolverines.

www.mlive.com

Great Article on him.

 

[OldGoaltender]

You have to admire his tenacity and determination. Speed can make up for size if it’s paired with skill and smarts. Who knows the kid could be a Kris Russell kind of player.

 

[Youngguns80]

NCAA free agents: 5 right-handed defencemen the Canucks could target

The Vancouver Canucks’ best right-side defenceman in recent years was a free agent signing out of the NCAA.

www.vancouverisawesome.com

Another article where Vancouver writers target him as the #2 RD defensemen to go after. They speak of how sound defensively and his physical play.

For those Will Scouch fans - Scouching (YouTube Hockey NHL Draft Player Analytics)

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Good players come from a variety of sources. That’s why you do scouting. How well a guy pans out, especially one that came the less traditional route, is a combo of development, player dedication and just how well a player’s strengths and weaknesses translate to play with better players.

 

[Hello Johnny]

You have to admire his tenacity and determination. Speed can make up for size if it’s paired with skill and smarts. Who knows the kid could be a Kris Russell kind of player.

It’s amazing how Kris Russell turned into such a reliable defensive defenseman after being an offensive dynamo in Medicine Hat. Would love it if Blankenburg had a similar pro career.

 

[tunnelvision]

Good players come from a variety of sources.

Even outside of Columbus?

As I saw the news my first thought was "Is he that good it's going to affect our drafting strategy in the first two rounds? Is it less likely now for us to take one of the smaller but highly ranked defensemen?" Mateychuk, Nelson, Casey...

 

[Youngguns80]

 

[VT]

Nick can be like Justin Danforth but in defense. A speed, tenacious player who had to work a lot to play in NHL. Also RH.

 

[majormajor]

Even outside of Columbus?

As I saw the news my first thought was "Is he that good it's going to affect our drafting strategy in the first two rounds? Is it less likely now for us to take one of the smaller but highly ranked defensemen?" Mateychuk, Nelson, Casey...

Our D is already so much smaller than average, that I don't think we take a small D in the first couple rounds unless we really love their playmaking. Mateychuk might just be too good to pass up, Casey and Nelson I think ought to be ruled out.

Blankenburg's situation is different because if he is any good he is free money as a signing. But he likely only gets a spot if he outplays other small D or they are moved for some reason. We're not going to run a right side of Blankenburg, Bean, and Boqvist. Maybe 2, maybe only 1 of them.

 

[koteka]

Our D is already so much smaller than average, that I don't think we take a small D in the first couple rounds unless we really love their playmaking.

You have more faith in the front office than I do. Remember JD was fired in New York because the owner didn’t like that the team he was building wasn’t tough. Then they added guys like Reaves, Goodrow, and Nemeth. There is a part of me that expects us to draft two small but skilled guys even though I think we need to add some size and grit to our prospect pool.

 

[Xoggz22]

Our D is already so much smaller than average, that I don't think we take a small D in the first couple rounds unless we really love their playmaking. Mateychuk might just be too good to pass up, Casey and Nelson I think ought to be ruled out.

Blankenburg's situation is different because if he is any good he is free money as a signing. But he likely only gets a spot if he outplays other small D or they are moved for some reason. We're not going to run a right side of Blankenburg, Bean, and Boqvist. Maybe 2, maybe only 1 of them.

I could see a right side of Boqvist, Peeke and Blankenburg if he earns it. Bean playing the right out of necessity right now and, in my opinion, he's not playing all that inspiring hockey right now. He's a piece that could move given the upcoming depth at LD. Too early to worry about that right now maybe, but there is still a need for balance, again, my opinion, that could open that door for Blankenburg to get a look. He's not the typical "small" D from all accounts I've read. It's a big jump so we'll see.

I absolutely agree with you that I don't see a "small" D being drafted unless he is clearly considered head and shoulders above all else.

 

[Xoggz22]

You have more faith in the front office than I do. Remember JD was fired in New York because the owner didn’t like that the team he was building wasn’t tough. Then they added guys like Reaves, Goodrow, and Nemeth. There is a part of me that expects us to draft two small but skilled guys even though I think we need to add some size and grit to our prospect pool.

I don't believe that's why JD was fired in NY. Dolan is an egomaniac that has zero patience. He didn't want a rebuild that would take long and, in my opinion, the Rangers were far ahead of the curve. Goodrow was a great pickup but Nemeth has been meh and Reaves does his thing, which certainly helps support the roster. Rangers had a lot of young talent and I'm not sure if JD had been kept they wouldn't be close to where they are now regardless. CBJ just turned over a lot of players and it's pretty clear they need some size and thump. The D needs the most help but they need it up front as well. On that, we agree (I think)

 

[5th Line Fanatic]

I don't believe that's why JD was fired in NY. Dolan is an egomaniac that has zero patience. He didn't want a rebuild that would take long and, in my opinion, the Rangers were far ahead of the curve. Goodrow was a great pickup but Nemeth has been meh and Reaves does his thing, which certainly helps support the roster. Rangers had a lot of young talent and I'm not sure if JD had been kept they wouldn't be close to where they are now regardless. CBJ just turned over a lot of players and it's pretty clear they need some size and thump. The D needs the most help but they need it up front as well. On that, we agree (I think)

"clear they need some size and thump"

Wordsmithing award of the week goes to you Xoggz22. Size and thump- simple, but very descriptive without the need for extra filler. Good job on you!

 

[Doggy]

I don't believe that's why JD was fired in NY. Dolan is an egomaniac that has zero patience. He didn't want a rebuild that would take long and, in my opinion, the Rangers were far ahead of the curve. Goodrow was a great pickup but Nemeth has been meh and Reaves does his thing, which certainly helps support the roster. Rangers had a lot of young talent and I'm not sure if JD had been kept they wouldn't be close to where they are now regardless. CBJ just turned over a lot of players and it's pretty clear they need some size and thump. The D needs the most help but they need it up front as well. On that, we agree (I think)

Weird...just a few years ago I was saying we needed more Bread and less jam. Now its swung in the other direction and we need more jam and less Bread (not really less Bread but definitely more jam).

 

[Crede777]

I don't think they'll pass on a guy just because he is a small defenseman. If he is BPA, then they will likely take him. Draft BPA and if you have a redundancy then trade the redundant player away.

 

[majormajor]

You have more faith in the front office than I do. Remember JD was fired in New York because the owner didn’t like that the team he was building wasn’t tough. Then they added guys like Reaves, Goodrow, and Nemeth. There is a part of me that expects us to draft two small but skilled guys even though I think we need to add some size and grit to our prospect pool.

I don't know if JD is involved in steering the ship towards player types.

He was fired because he wouldn't fire Gorton, if he was willing to fire Gorton he'd still be President of the Rangers.

 

[NotWendell]

I don't believe that's why JD was fired in NY. Dolan is an egomaniac that has zero patience. He didn't want a rebuild that would take long and, in my opinion, the Rangers were far ahead of the curve. Goodrow was a great pickup but Nemeth has been meh and Reaves does his thing, which certainly helps support the roster. Rangers had a lot of young talent and I'm not sure if JD had been kept they wouldn't be close to where they are now regardless. CBJ just turned over a lot of players and it's pretty clear they need some size and thump. The D needs the most help but they need it up front as well. On that, we agree (I think)

You both are right to some degree. I've listened to many analysts in New York say that's exactly the reason he was fired - and they agreed. Frankly, I agreed, but I thought Dolan was way too impatient to dismiss a Ranger legend so quickly and not give him the time to build the contender he wanted.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Maybe Buffalo was after him too?

 

[Youngguns80]

 

[Youngguns80]

Porty in the Athletic article today:

It all got very interesting for Blankenburg at this time one year ago. The Colorado Avalanche offered him an NHL contract, which was a real eye-opener.

“Pound for pound, he might be the toughest guy on our team,” Michigan coach Mel Pearson told MLive.com this season. “He’s got a lot of fight in him. He proves it every night. He just has a real good base to him.

“He’s strong on his feet. he can knock down a guy who probably has 20-30 pounds on him, no problem.”

 

[Cowumbus]

Porty in the Athletic article today:

It all got very interesting for Blankenburg at this time one year ago. The Colorado Avalanche offered him an NHL contract, which was a real eye-opener.

“Pound for pound, he might be the toughest guy on our team,” Michigan coach Mel Pearson told MLive.com this season. “He’s got a lot of fight in him. He proves it every night. He just has a real good base to him.

“He’s strong on his feet. he can knock down a guy who probably has 20-30 pounds on him, no problem.”

If the Avs like(d) him, I feel even better about it. Their D core is already unreal…

 

[Youngguns80]

 

[Jovavic]

Did I read correctly that he's RFA after this season? Hopefully the audition goes well

 

[Cowumbus]

Did I read correctly that he's RFA after this season? Hopefully the audition goes well

Yes RFA, off an ELC.

 

[Byrral]

Watched his presser. This is a likeable guy. I can see why he could be captain with all that talent on the team.