Columbus -- Along with head coach Todd Richards wanting the team to get faster mentally and physically, the organization has taken the next steps to bolster its depth. Two players were signed that bring speed and skill to the organizational depth of the Blue Jackets.
Right wing Simon Hjalmarsson and center Brian Gibbons both signed one-year, two-way deals with the Blue Jackets over the summer. Hjalmarsson played for Linkopings HC in Sweden last year with Gibbons suiting up for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both bring skill and speed, commodities that can be utilized in Columbus.
"We needed more skilled, depth guys," said GM Jarmo Kekalainen on Saturday, "that can possibly play higher up in the lineup. Last year, our depth guys that were coming up from Springfield were playing on the fourth line, with maybe some potential to move up in the lineup, but those guys (Hjalmarsson/Gibbons) play on the top two lines almost all of their careers. Gibbons played on the same line with (Sidney) Crosby in the playoffs. It's obviously a very demanding place to play. And Hjalmarsson was one of the leading scorers in the Swedish league, played with the national team and won a World Championship."
Last season, Hjalmarsson went 27-30-57 in 55 games for Linkoping, which tied him for third highest in goals and points in the SHL. As assistant general manager for the St. Louis Blues, Kekalainen drafted Hjalmarsson in 2007 (2nd round/39th overall) at Nationwide Arena. He's progressively gotten better with each passing year and decided now was the time to come to North America.
"It's a really big opportunity," said the 25-year-old Swede of signing with the Blue Jackets. "I waited until I was 25 to come over here and I think I'm ready. Right now I need to fight every day to make an impact on the coaches here to make the team. I'm really happy to be here."
Gibbons was up and down three times between Pittsburgh and their AHL-affiliate Wilkes Barre-Scranton last year. In the 41 games he played with Pittsburgh, he garnered 5-12-17 (+5). Standing a lofty 5-8 (sans skates), he's best known for his speed. He played at Boston College with Cam Atkinson for three years.
Undrafted, Gibbons signed with the Penguins in 2011. He was one of the Penguins' better players during the playoff series with Columbus, turning on the speed that he is known for. He signed a free-agent deal with Columbus in July.
"After seeing Columbus a lot last year, I was definitely interested in coming here," he said. "It was a good opportunity for me. This is a team that's trying to get faster and they play a fast game, at least it seemed like it last year. They're pretty physical, too. With my game, I try to use my speed as an advantage as much as possible."
Although it's still early in training camp, Richards has an idea of what Gibbons brings to the table. In regards to Hjalmarsson, he's had to watch videotape of the player.
"Gibbons is a small, quick, electric, fast player," said Richards. "We saw that last year in the playoffs, what he can do with his speed. He's a dangerous threat. Those are the type of players with the way the game is going, you're looking for speed. As for what I've seen of Hjalmarsson, he's a 'headsy' player with some offensive talent."
In regards to Gibbons, his versatility comes from his speed and being able to play on any line in any position.
"What makes (Gibbons) more versatile to me," Richards continued, "is in talking with (former Penguins head coach) Dan Bylsma, after we signed him, Dan spoke very highly of him. And they only used him on the wing. What's versatile to me is the possibility of him playing either center or wing."
While both players are somewhat of a long-shot to make the roster out of training camp, anything is possible. They will both get long looks from the coaching staff during the preseason games. They are both players that can play on any of the forward lines.
"I'm not slotting these guys in the bottom-six," Kekalainen said. "These are guys that have skill. Gibbons has great speed and Hjalmarsson has great hockey sense. Those are guys that can play on any line. And depending on how the competition falls, we'll see where they fit in.
"Those are guys that you can plug into holes when somebody gets hurt," he concluded. "Now, Horton's not here (back), Johansen's not here (contract)... it's going to be a great opportunity to play on the offensive lines."
Check out sites and sounds from today at training camp.
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