Well, this was unanticipated.
By all accounts, Max Domi was expected to four to six months after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason. He underwent the surgery on June 4th and was four months post-op on October 4th.
It appears that Domi has made his way back on the very early side of that estimate.
He's in the Blue Jackets lineup for the club's preseason finale vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight and skated on a line with Boone Jenner and Cole Sillinger this morning. With Domi playing tonight, it begs the question: will he be in the lineup on Thursday for the season opener?
Neither Domi nor Blue Jackets head coach Brad Larsen has confirmed it one way or another, but it's a distinct possibility. The Blue Jackets don't want to rush Domi back too quickly and risk reinjury, so tonight's game will be a good test for the Blue Jackets and Domi to understand where Domi is in his healing process.
“I won’t say no and I won’t say yes...I know he’s champing at the bit (to play)," said Larsen on Thursday.
Domi gives the Blue Jackets a considerable amount of flexibility in their lineup. He can suit up on the wing or in the center, which gives Brad Larsen a lot of freedom when constructing lines. He's an important player for the Blue Jackets to have this season, which is why they can't afford to make a mistake with his rehab.
"I’m not allowed to say anything (on whether I'm playing in the season opener or not)," said Domi on Thursday.
"I don’t know. We’ll see."
