Getty Images
In what has been an absolute lost season due to injuries and ineffective play, the Columbus Blue Jackets and their fanbase have been looking to the future. The play of rookies Marko Dano and Alex Wennberg has been a bright spot in recent weeks as the Jackets’ prospect pool has been on display. Dano and Wennberg have been a nice sampling, but the Jackets should look at bringing another highly-touted prospect up to the NHL level for at least a few games — crafty winger Sonny Milano.
Milano turned in a dominant season for the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers and will report to the AHL’s Springfield Falcons this week to start his pro career. While I think AHL seasoning is great and will aid in Milano’s development, I see no issue with bringing him up to the Jackets to reward him for his great junior season while giving him an opportunity to prove himself against the best players in the world.
Due to Milano’s age he’d have to play 10 games in the NHL to even burn a year on his contract, meaning there are no negative ramifications for having him up in the show. Such an opportunity would also allow Milano to get a better understanding of the day-to-day workings of NHL life so that when he reports to training camp, he’ll have a clearer perception of how to be a professional.
The future is bright in Columbus and Milano is a big reason why, as his craftiness and creativity will be wowing fans for years to come. Giving those fans and Milano a taste of that great future could be some decent closure on a season everyone associated with the Jackets would like to forget.
