The Columbus Blue Jackets drafted Sonny Milano in the first round, and we are starting to see their reasoning.

Sonny Milano has been flying around in the preseason like a player that knows this camp is the biggest one of his hockey career. The Columbus Blue Jackets expect a lot out of Milano and are not going to hand him anything, but he is making a case as to why he should make the team.

Anderson’s Absence

Josh Anderson is holding out of training camp and the preseason due to contract negotiations, so the Blue Jackets have to start looking for a replacement in the chance that Anderson sits out a large portion of the season, or the whole season.

Milano does not play the power forward game like Josh Anderson, but what he does not have in size, he makes up for in speed. Sonny flies around the ice. Before this preseason, he did not seem to feel comfortable in the NHL, but that doesn’t seem to be there this preseason.

Columbus Roster Changing

The Columbus Blue Jackets roster in past years were full of gritty players that banged away until they scored dirty goals. While the CBJ have players that are willing to score in the dirty areas, their roster has more pure scorers than before. Cam Atkinson and Artemi Panarin are prime examples. This influx of skill helps plead Milano’s case.

Milano is a skill player that has smooth hands and great vision. While Milano will not likely be playing on a line with either Cam or the Breadman, he can add skill to a line that may not quite have it. Milano was not talked about much, but his preseason may just give him a spot that was not open.

Prediction for Milano

The way that Sonny Milano is playing in the preseason, he has to be considered long and hard to make the Blue Jackets roster out of camp. Milano has played in the AHL and has now proven that he deserves a chance to start with the big club. Sonny should brighten the Blue Jackets’ future.