Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell introduces new coach Don Evanson
Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell on Tuesday introduced the man he hired as the team’s next head coach, Dean Evason.
Important injuries have been one subtitle of the Blue Jackets’ season for the third year in a row.
The difference this time is theirs health-related absence has not sabotaged the season. The Blue Jackets can’t just do without Captain Boone Jenner (shoulder surgery), Erik Gudbranson (shoulder surgery), Yegor Chinakhov (back), Justin Danforth (lower body) and lastly, Sean Monahan (Wrist).
They thrive.
Entering a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena, the Jackets occupied the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with a chance to overtake the Boston Bruins for the first wild card. Backed by a push from a handful of veterans plus a growing young core group, the Blue Jackets have become one of the NHL’s most exciting stories.
There’s also good news developing with most of their injuries, which could mimic the boost playoff contenders often seek from trades at the NHL deadline.
“I said just that internally, actually, with our scouts in town,” the Blue Jackets said CEO of the hockey operations/general manager Don Waddell. “I said, ‘Our trade deadline additions are going to be Boone Jenner and hopefully Gudbranson and Chinakhov. That’s our addition after not having those guys all year.”
Here’s a closer look at the Blue Jackets’ injury situation:
Columbus blue jackets center Sean Monahan dealing with a sprained wrist
After getting cross-checked into the boards last week by Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang, Monahan left after taking a shift in the third period of the Blue Jackets’ 4-3 shootout victory at PPG Paints Arena. He has not played since but received encouraging news after a bone scan showed no fractures. The injury is a “stretched” tendon that requires his wrist to be immobilized.
“It’s not broken,” Waddell said. “It’s just stretched, so they immobilized his wrist for the next two weeks, and then when he gets it off, we’ll see where he’s at with it. It’s not long-term, but it’s not ‘day-to-day’ either.”
Monahan was averaging a point per game at the time of the injury and remains the Jackets’ third-leading scorer despite missing his third game against the Flyers on Tuesday.
Boone Jenner is said to be ahead of schedule on his shoulder recovery
After undergoing surgery in October for a torn shoulder blade that occurred during a training drill late in the preseason, Jenner may soon be fully medically cleared to make contact during her individual conditioning skates.
It can take up to five or six months for that type of surgery to fully heal, but the Blue Jackets did not provide an estimated recovery time after announcing the procedure. Now, it should surprise no one that he is making great progress. There’s even a chance Jenner could return to action shortly before or at the Jackets’ outdoor game against the Detroit Red Wings on March 1 at Ohio Stadium.
“He’s coming on Jan. 17 to get full clearance from the doctor,” Waddell said. “He’s doing everything but making contact now, so he’s ahead of schedule and doing very well. If all goes well, I can see him maybe playing after the Four Nations.”
Erik Gudbranson not far behind Boone Jenner in shoulder recovery
Gudbranson collided with Monahan in the neutral zone during the Blue Jackets’ season opener against the Florida Panthers. His awkward fall just 11 days after Jenner’s shoulder injury prompted another key veteran to undergo shoulder surgery on Oct. 21, putting his return about two weeks after the Blue Jackets’ captaincy.
Jenner and Gudbranson each have a year left on their contracts, so the Blue Jackets may take a more conservative approach before putting either into action.
“He’s a couple of weeks behind Boone,” Waddell said of Gudbranson. “He’s fine. Depending on how we go, he could be back sometime in March, but we have to make that decision carefully.”
Gudbranson’s eventual return will add a strong presence in the locker room and on the ice, not to mention size, grit and grunt to the defensive third pairing.
Justin Danforth could soon return to practice for the Columbus Blue Jackets
Danforth has missed 16 games with a lower-body injury that has sidelined one of the Blue Jackets’ most versatile forwards.
Danforth can play any of the front three positions, including center, and had become a key spark plug for the third line before leaving the lineup. Waddell hopes Danforth returns to practice this week, which would put him close to returning for games.
Columbus Blue Jackets unsure of the return of forward Yegor Chinakhov
Chinakhov has missed 23 games while dealing with a lower back problem that also caused him to miss extended time two years ago. Waddell said progress is being made, but Chinakhov isn’t ready to get back on the skates just yet. Surgery has not been discussed at this time.
Chinakhov had 14 points on seven goals and seven assists while skating primarily in a top-six role through the first 21 games of the season. When healthy, his combination of size, speed and hard shooting make him one of the NHL’s best-kept secrets. Bringing him back this season could give the high-scoring Blue Jackets another dangerous scorer.
