Gavin Brindley just finished an exceptional year with the University of Michigan going well over a point per game. He helped the Americans win gold at the Under-20 World Junior Championships. He even appeared in his first NHL game for the Columbus Blue Jackets as a teenager. 

Despite all of this, questions remain about how impactful he can be offensively in the NHL. Especially in the short term.

Brindley was drafted 34th overall by the Blue Jackets in 2023. During his draft season at Michigan of the NCAA, he put up 38 points in 41 games. That was good enough for fifth on the team behind third overall pick that year Adam Fantilli, 2021 fourth overall pick Luke Hughes, 2021 24th overall pick Mackie Samoskevich, and 2022 14th overall pick Rutger McGroarty.
 

Building upon his great draft season,