Elvis is in the building.
News
Elvis Merzlikins was back on the ice at practice Wednesday. He's been out since Dec. 13.
#CBJ G Elvis Merzlikins is on the ice for practice today.
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) December 28, 2022
Cole Sillinger also returned to practice after being activated off of IR. He hasn't played since Dec. 17 due to an upper-body injury.
#CBJ ROSTER MOVES:
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) December 28, 2022
- Activated C Cole Sillinger off of IR
- Added F Emil Bemstrom on emergency recall
- Assigned D Jake Christiansen to @monstershockey
Nick Blankenburg was on the bench in a practice uniform. It appeared as though he would skate individually after practice. He hasn't played since Nov. 10 and is currently on IR.
#CBJ D Nick Blankenburg on the bench talking to HC Brad Larsen here at practice. Looks like hell skate individually today. pic.twitter.com/S9c8WmCYqn
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) December 28, 2022
Notes
Here are the lines and power play units at practice today:
#CBJ lines at practice today:
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) December 28, 2022
Gaudreau-Roslovic-Bemstrom
Marchenko-Johnson-Nyquist
Robinson-Kuraly-Olivier
Foudy-Sillinger-Meyer
Gavrikov-Bjork
Berni-Gudbranson
Peeke-Boqvist
#CBJ power play units at practice:
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) December 28, 2022
PP1
Point: Boqvist
LW: Bemstrom
RW: Gaudreau
Bumper: Roslovic
Net-front: Nyquist
PP2
Point: Bjork
LW: Marchenko
RW: Johnson
Bumper: Meyer
Net-Front: Sillinger
Soundbites from Brad Larsen
- On Kent Johnson playing center: "I like him in the middle of the ice because he can keep his feet moving. He's in motion a lot when he grabs the puck and that's where he's dangerous, right? When he's got the puck and he can move. So on both sides, I think there's been some positive and some teaching."
- On splitting up Johnson and Johnny Gaudreau: "We're going to try different things as guys get back and there's different reasons why we move guys...And I'm not gonna get into all those reasons, but it's not because of poor play or anything like that. I just might look at something different."
- On David Jiricek and Czechia beating his home nation of Canada at the World Juniors: "I missed the first game. Unfortunately, he took out our Canadians. He and [Stanislav] Svozil were killing us...It's a great experience for him. He did well and Svozil did well and it's a big deal to beat Canada and especially in Canada. It's great for them."
The Blue Jackets take on the Islanders in New York Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on Bally Sports Ohio and 97.1 FM The Fan.
