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CBJ— Rumors On All the Rentals; Game Recap; All Star Zach

January 15, 2022, 5:08 PM ET [1 Comments]
Zak MacMillan
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Lots of happenings since the last blog was written. Today is going to cover everything from the rentals and where they could be moved to at the deadline; previous games with Chicago and Carolina; preparing for tonight in Florida.

Starting with the Rentals:

Max Domi: According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, speculation is that the Boston Bruins may be poking around at the rental winger. This guy has gone through everything this season, from COVID to offseason and in season injuries. He has 8 goals and 8 assists for 16 points in 25 games this season with the Blue Jackets. He is in the final year of a contract. The only other team that I am aware that has made contact with the rental is Pittsburgh, but wouldn’t be surprised if Colorado or the Rangers made calls on the 26 year old.

Joonas Korpisalo: As Eklund previously alluded to, the Avalanche and Flyers have made calls about the pending UFA. Edmonton made calls in the past as well as Buffalo, but am hearing they are looking to remain pat at this point. Other teams to eye would be Vegas or Nashville with maintaining one starter over their backups.

Patrik Laine: As much he wants to play in Los Angeles; the Islanders (Ek), Panthers, and Ducks have had a history of interest in the Finnish winger.

Jack Roslovic: According to Frank Severalli, the Jackets are shopping the hometown boy. Considering they have restricted rights over him, don’t see it being a present move, or one they should make, considering he is from the city, and was brought here in the massive deal.

The depth: Haven’t heard a single thing on pending UFAs besides the top guys.

On Gregory Hoffman: for as much as it hurts the fourth line over anything in Columbus, he chose his family first and to return to Switzerland where they are. It will give Chinakov and Bemstrom more opportunity to shine in the now with Danforth injured. His contract was terminated earlier in the week by the Jackets organization.

On Zach Werenski— Congratulations to him in being selected the club’s representative for the All Star Game in Las Vegas, Nevada. Vote for Voracek to get in as the Last Man in Now!

Recapping the Blackhawks:

Chicago rolled into Columbus and left with the win on Tuesday night; the final score was 4-2.

Alex DeBricant opened and closed the scoring for the Blackhawks, with one on Korpi, and the other on an empty net. This pushed the Hawks’ all star to 23 goals on the season.

The defensive unit of Calvin De Haan and Connor Murphy had the other two goals for the visitors. De Haan netted his first of the season, while Dublin dude scored his third.

Columbus got a shorty from Nyquist for his 8th of the season. This was also his third short handed goal, which has him tied for first in the league. The other goal came from captain Boone Jenner, which was his 14th of the season, with assists coming Nyquist and Zach Werenski.

Jonas Korpisalo stopped 16 of 19 for an 0.842 save percentage in his 4th consecutive start. This pushed Korpisalo’s record down to a 4-7 on the year in 13 games played, with a goals against of 3.79 and a 0.884 save percentage on the year. However, his career is at a 0.903 which isn’t terrible.

CBJ 3 Stars Of the Game

1. Gustav Nyquist— SHG(8), assist (10)

2. Boone Jenner— goal (14)

3. Zach Werenski— assist (15)


The Blowout of the Carolinas:

After an embarrassing 7 unanswered goal streak last time, the Blue Jackets blanked the Hurricanes in their first game of a 4 game East Coast trip, by the final score of 6-0.

Emil Bemstrom got his first goal of the season with help from Jack Roslovic and the former Hurricane, Jake Bean. Yegor Chinakov added his third of his career with fellow Russian Vladislav Gavrikov and liberate Eric Robinson adding to their totals. Patrik Laine clapped his 5th of the campaign with the setup by the captain. Chinakov doubled his total with his second of the night, with line-mates Robinson and Sean Kuraly getting the assists. Cole Sillinger potted his 6th tally of the year, with help from the good beans in Jake Bean and Oliver Bjorkstrand. The final goal came from Jack Roslovic for his 6th this season, with the assists from Alexandre Texier and Bemmer. Elvis Merzlikins got his second shutout of the season, stopping all 31 Carolina shots.

CBJ Three Stars of the Game

1. Elvis Merzlikins— shutout, win

2. Yegor Chinakov— 2 goals (4)

3. Emil Bemstrom— GWG (1)



Game 36: A Date With the Sunrise

The Jackets travel to Florida to battle the Panthers, and they are tied with Tampa for the best team in the league. This is the toughest contest of the season, with the battle of the masterminds between Kekalainen and apprentice now GM Bill Zito showing their teams off to each other.

Florida is on a roll, after demolishing the Dallas Stars by a score of 7-1, and getting their second line center back. Spencer Knight has the reigns tonight over Sergei Bobrovsky, and no Markus Nutivarra due to injury. Major concern if he can play again. Prayers for Nuti.

Columbus just stomped Carolina, and are rolling with the same lineup from that contest as well.

Projected Lineups

Florida Panthers

Carter Verhaeghe—Alexander Barkov—San Reinhart
Jonathan Hubderdeau*—Sam Bennett—Anthony Duclair
Frank Vatrano—Anton Lundell—Maxim Mamin
Ryan Lomberg—Eetu Luostrainen—Patric Hornqvist

MacKenzie Weegar—Aaron Ekblad
Gustav Forsling—Radko Gudas
Olli Juolevi—Brandon Montour

Spencer Knight
Sergei Bobrovsky

Scratched— Joe Thornton, Mason Marchment, Lucas Carlsson
Injured— Jonas Johansson, Noel Accari, Markus Nutivarra

Columbus Blue Jackets

Patrik Laine—Boone Jenner—Gustav Nyquist
Max Domi—Liam Foudy—Oliver Bjorkstrand
Alexandre Texier—Jack Roslovic—Yegor Chinakov
Eric Robinson—Sean Kuraly—Emil Bemstrom

Zach Werenski—Adam Boqvist
Vladislav Gavrikov—Andrew Peeke
Jake Bean—Dean Kukan

Elvis Merzlikins
Joonas Korpisalo

Scratched— Gabriel Carlsson, Gavin Bayreuther
Injured— Jakub Voracek, Nathan Gerbe, Cole Sillinger, Daniil Tarasov, Justin Danforth


More to come…
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