Blue Jackets' Breakout D-Man Is Just Getting Warmed Up

Columbus has found a rare gem on the back end, and this defenseman is proving he's far from a one-year wonder. The Blue Jackets are banking on sustained excellence from a player who's already turning heads around the league, and the organization believes his best hockey is still ahead of him. With the salary cap landscape shifting and young talent becoming increasingly valuable, this breakout season could reshape how teams view Columbus' defensive core for years to come.