CBJ #36 History: Marchessault's Unique Trajectory (Offseason Review)

What Changed

Today's focus, published on 2026-08-26T12:43:48.000Z, reviews the history of players who have worn jersey #36 for the Columbus Blue Jackets, noting the 36 days until opening night. The article details the careers of four players: Sean Selmser (2001), Donald MacLean (2004), Mathieu Roy (2010), and Jonathan Marchessault (2013). The primary 'change' presented by this historical look is the stark contrast between Marchessault's later career success and the short, often single-digit game tenures of the others with Columbus, highlighting a significant missed opportunity or misassessment by the Blue Jackets at the time.

What It Means In Context

Sean Selmser, drafted by Pittsburgh in 1993, played only one NHL game for the Jackets in 2000-01 before spending 9 of his next 10 seasons in Poland after 2002. Donald MacLean, a 1995 second-round pick by the Kings, signed with Columbus as a free agent in 2002, playing four games with a single goal before leaving North America in 2007. Mathieu Roy, an Oilers draft pick in 2003, had 10 points in 31 games for Columbus in 2010 before being traded and later moving to Europe, eventually retiring in 2023.

Jonathan Marchessault's inclusion here is the most impactful from a fantasy perspective. Undrafted, he signed with the Blue Jackets just before the 2012-13 season but played only two games for the team. He spent the majority of his time in the AHL with the Springfield Falcons, where he recorded an impressive 67 points in 74 games. Marchessault was then traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 5, 2014, marking the end of his time in Columbus Source. This historical context positions Marchessault as a player who initially struggled to stick with an NHL club despite strong AHL production, eventually blossoming elsewhere after multiple team changes. This is a common trajectory for late-blooming fantasy assets.

What You Should Do About It This Week

Given this is an offseason briefing focusing on historical jersey numbers, the actionable advice centers on dynasty, keeper, and draft preparation rather than weekly lineups. The key takeaway from Marchessault's journey is the potential value in players who show strong AHL production but are traded or not given extended NHL opportunities early in their careers. These players can become significant assets if they land in the right situation.

• Dynasty/Keeper Leagues: Identify players currently performing well in the AHL but are blocked or have been traded by their initial NHL teams. Marchessault's 67 points in 74 AHL games with the Springfield Falcons, followed by a trade, is a blueprint for players to monitor.
• Draft Preparation: Don't solely rely on early draft status. Undrafted players or those who were mid-to-late round picks but display elite minor league scoring deserve attention. Their paths to success might be longer, but their eventual payoff can be significant.
• Trade Strategy: Consider acquiring prospects with strong AHL numbers from managers who may be impatient with their lack of immediate NHL impact. Their value might be depressed, offering a buy-low opportunity based on a Marchessault-like development curve.