It's not ideal, but it gives someone a chance to shine and provide a spark.
On Tuesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets placed Damon Severson on injured reserve with an oblique injury as he's expected to be sidelined for about six weeks. The 29-year-old was injured in Sunday's loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Severson has eight points (three goals, five assists) in 19 games this season. He most recently had an assist during Saturday's loss to the Washington Capitals and a two-goal game in last Thursday's loss to the Arizona Coyotes.
The Blue Jackets dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen against the Flyers, so the Jackets were equipped to handle Severson’s absence for the rest of the game.
It was also announced on Tuesday that Eric Robinson will take the place of Trey Fix-Wolansky on the roster. Severson’s IR stint opens another opportunity for someone to step up, or come up.
The 4-11-4 Blue Jackets are in desperate search of two points as their start has brought a lot of frustration for all involved, from the team and its personnel, down to the fan base. Even national pundits are zeroing in on the Blue Jackets and their woes.
"They're a team with no identity. They're just a franchise. That place should be better than it is."
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) November 21, 2023
Ray Ferraro on #CBJ via the Ray & Dregs Podcast.
For Wednesday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks, it looks like the Blue Jackets will ice Zach Werenski with Adam Boqvist, Ivan Provorov with David Jiricek, and Jake Bean with Erik Gudbranson.
#CBJ lines + pairs ahead of tomorrows game against the #Blackhawks.
— Dylan Tyrer (@DylanTyrer) November 21, 2023
13-38-86
10-11-29
59-4-24
42-7-17
8-27
9-55
22-44
Andrew Peeke is on the roster and has been a healthy scratch for most of the season. After playing 162 games over the last two years, Peeke has appeared in four games this season and has one assist. He last appeared in a game on Nov. 11 in Detroit. His next game will be the 200th of his career.
Peeke led the Jackets with 197 blocked shots and was second with 180 hits last season.
Boqvist is only 23 years old and has been in the press box more than on the ice. In five games this season, Boqvist has not registered a point. He showed his offensive prowess last season with 24 points (five goals, 19 assists) in 46 games.
Jake Christiansen is tied for third on the Monsters with 11 points (three goals, eight assists) and leads all defensemen.
Nick Blankenburg has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) and is the most experienced blue-liner in the system, with 43 games under his belt in the NHL with the Blue Jackets.
Marcus Bjork has seven points (three goals, four assists). He made his NHL debut last season and played in 33 games, scoring 11 points (three goals, eight assists). He even quarterbacked the first power play unit while getting top D-pair minutes out of necessity due to the plethora of injuries last year.
Stanislav Svozil has six points (one goal, five assists). He made his NHL debut at the end of last season and picked up an assist.
Samuel Knazko has two points, both assists, and was another to make his debut at the end of the year last season.
Christiansen, Blankenburg, and even Bjork would be likelier to receive a call-up before Svozil or Kazko.
Who would you provide the first shot to?
