The Columbus Blue Jackets signed forward Cole Sillinger to a three-year deal worth $4.625 million per season late last week.
Yesterday, the CBJ hosted a short press conference for Sillinger to talk about his new deal. Sillinger was in Kelona, British Columbia training during the Summer.
Sillinger said he's excited and confident in the group that they have in Columbus, but his linemates from last year, Charlie Coyle and Mathieu Olivier, know they have to take it up a notch if they want to again be the best line on the team.
We asked Cole what he thought about the opportunity to run the three of them back and what he thought they could do to be even better.
"It was a great line, I thought, for our group last year. I think we were utilized in a lot of different situations and roles, and provided scoring and effective reliability. You know, playing with those two guys, they're just mature hockey players. They understand the game, and I think just the more and more we've played together, we just learn from each other, and learned how to make each other better, and be connected all over the ice," Sillinger said.
He went on to say, "We've talked about it; it starts with our belief, just what we're capable of doing, and I know those two guys that they have more of themselves as well. Obviously, was super pumped to see Charlie extend for six more years at the start of the summer."
"Having the opportunity to be playing Coyle and Olivier with again, the expectation we're going to hold ourselves to is going to be even greater. We made some good ground last year, but teams are just going to know more of what we can do. It's up to us to raise the bar and to bring that reliability and just everything we did last year, but on just another level."
"I'm already itching. It's been a long summer. We have a really tight locker room and a couple new faces to meet once we get down to camp and get things rolling. But again, just super pumped up and excited to see the guys again and to create some chemistry."
Cole Sillinger is already a seasoned vet for Columbus, playing in 367 games since 2021. He came in as an 18-year-old and hasn't left the lineup since. Scoring 51 goals and 140 points, he's been a shoo-in for 30-plus points every season.
Sillinger, Coyle, and Olivier were an extremely successful and fun line to watch, and if they have it their way, 26-27 will be even better.
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