Summer Spotlight: Cole Sillinger

Cole Sillinger had a great rookie season for the Blue Jackets.

Cole Sillinger played 79 games for the Blue Jackets last season. He scored 16 goals, the third most of a rookie in the team's history. Brad Larsen tried to get him out of the club, but he refused. Silinger is the son of an NHL player and the youngest of three hockey-playing brothers. He has a contract with the Jackets until the 2023-24 season, and he has two years left until RFA status. His goals trail Pierre-Luc Dubois (20) and Rick Nash (17).

Cole Sillinger scored his first NHL goal in his fourth game. He also scored hat trick against Vegas on March 13. Sillsinger is the fifth rookie and the second youngest Columbus player to score three goals in a game, and he's the first 18-year-old to do it since Patrik Laine in 2017.

Cole Sillinger played 79 games in his debut season as an 18-year-old. His offensive numbers are better than those of top overall picks such as Rick Nash and Jack Hughes. Just seven players from the 2021 draft played in the NHL last season.

Cole Sillinger is a center for the Blue Jackets. He is expected to be a top-six player this season. Patrik Laine is the team's left wing. He has a good chance to play in the NHL for a long time.

Cole Sillinger is the gift that keeps on giving.