Kent Johnson Returning?

The Columbus forward is back at practice today for the first time since Oct. 27 against Buffalo in a full contact jersey and participated in the penalty kill lines. Johnson has 5 points in 4 games this season. The first rounder and Marchenko are the only point per game players on the club.

David Jiricek not reporting to the AHL?

The David Jiricek dilemma is not getting any better for the 20 year old defenseman with the new management staff and his lack of time on the ice. Some concerns are beginning to pour out regarding behavior and refusal to report to Cleveland.

Evason called out the defender during an interview this afternoon, regarding his time with the video coaches going over film:

“If you want to play, then you need to earn that right to be on the ice and play games.”

That is a strong message across the bow from the new Columbus bench boss to the right handed blue liner of the future for the Blue Jackets. This is the youngster third season splitting time in the show with time down previously in Europe and the AHL.

Does Columbus move Jiricek or work through this with the defender and agent Allan Walsh?

New Lines

As reported by Mark Scheig of the Hockey News, these are the reported line and power play rushes from this late morning’s practice

Voronkov-Monahan-Marchenko
Sillinger-Fantilli-Chinakhov
Pyyhtia/KJ-Danforth-Olivier
ZAR/JVR-Kuraly-Labanc

Werenski-Fabbro
Provorov-Severson
Christiansen-Harris
Johnson-Jiricek

PP

Werenski, Chinakhov, Marchenko, Monahan, Fantilli.

Severson, Provorov, Voronkov, Danforth, Sillinger.

The top six rotation experiment is continuing until Kent Johnson can get back at full strength once again. Safe bet to compete him with Pyyhita

Fabbro getting the showcase this is early feels like the Boqvist replacement, but Jiricek being the 8th defenseman is abysmal. Columbus gave up Seth Jones for this.

Harris in the rotation for Johnson against his former team is a bit of a head scratcher for the weekend games. If it were me, put Johnson against Pittsburgh and Harris against Montreal so he can get his flowers and maybe first point of the season.

Notes:

This weekend is another back to back, so it will be two straight days of previews from me then postgame recaps will occur on Sunday. With the family move this weekend, it may be coming in later than usual. Apologies in advance.


More to come…

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