2023-24 Player Review: Erik Gudbranson was…better?

Apr 11, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson (44) moves the puck against Florida Panthers center Kevin Stenlund (82) during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY SportsFull disclosure: among the staff here at The Cannon, there aren’t fans of Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson. We were universally opposed to his signing two years ago, and the results since then haven’t changed our mind.

That being said, this season he was…fine? Not great, and still clearly overpaid, but he was a passable defense-first defenseman. In 2022-23, the absurd number of injuries meant that Gudbranson was forced into top…