Line Combos: CBJ Roster Discussion/Line Combos/Injury Report

[thebus88]

• I would like to see Mason McTavish here.
• We could trade Chinakhov (only because of his frequent injuries) to Montreal for its first round pick (they have three) and someone of Armia/Dvorak/Pezzetta... in short, the player they want to get rid of. We could use that to trade McTavish or someone else. Even then, the Habs owe us something.
• I'm under no illusions that we'll get Bjorkstrand back.

We’re not trading Chinakhov.

He’s the best goal scorer/shooter this organization has ever had.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

So where does this go from here?

The Blue Jackets have said that starter Elvis Merzlikins, who served as Greaves’ backup on Thursday, was fatigued and needed a break. That makes sense given Merzlikins’ workload in starting 12 of the 13 games prior to Thursday. But then why not turn to Merzlikins’ backup all season, Daniil Tarasov?

Evason was clear on Wednesday that Greaves had earned this chance with his play in Cleveland, but he also allowed that an opportunity had been “created somehow.”

The Blue Jackets can carry three goaltenders on the roster, sure, but that’s not an ideal situation for any of the three. Greaves is the only one who can be sent to Cleveland without needing to clear waivers, but after Thursday’s performance, it’s hard to see him leaving anytime soon.

Asked if Greaves’ outing will earn him a chance to stay, Evason smiled: “Yup. Sure does.” He declined to elaborate.

Greaves said he has not been told what the Blue Jackets’ plans are for him. He was called up after Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to Philadelphia and raced to Columbus the next morning for practice. He hasn’t asked any questions, either, he said, just focused on getting ready to play.

“For me, my attention is where my feet are, just kind of one day at a time and control what I control and we’ll see what happens tomorrow,” Greaves said.

Asked if he was even sure where he’d be Friday, Greaves chuckled. “We’ll see. Hopefully here.”

The Blue Jackets are off Friday ahead of Saturday’s game versus Anaheim. It doesn’t sound like Greaves is going anywhere for now.

“He’s earned the right to be here,” Evason said. “He’s earned it. And he earned it again tonight.”

 

[MoeBartoli]

Until Chinakov returns, the Jackets should call up DBBL to center Fantilli and Olivier. Drop ZAR to the 4th line and send Pyythia back to Cleveland. Let LDBB know the call up is because of Chinakov being out. Of course if he earns it, he could stay as there’s a spot here for an offensive forward. But doing it this way is a low risk move.

 

[DarkandStormy]

"Why wouldn't the Blue Jackets turn to their .857 goalie??"

-CBJ beat writer

 

[CBJWerenski8]

A club source, reached after practice, said a determination was made by Merzlikins’ play on Tuesday — he allowed five goals on 25 shots — that he is fatigued and “needs a break” after starting 17 of the Blue Jackets’ last 21 games, including seven starts in a row before he had a night off early last week in Edmonton.
The Blue Jackets are giving Merzlikins his latest “break” less than one year since he was demoted to a No. 3 role by then-coach Pascal Vincent after a tough start to the season. That time, in mid-January, it erupted into a public mess with Merzlikins asking for a “change of scenery” while insisting he hadn’t requested a trade.

Later that month, when he returned to action, Merzlikins told reporters he had in fact requested a trade. Then, after a conversation with his agent Gerry Johannson, the agent told reporters that Merzlikins had not requested a trade, that he simply misspoke.

The Blue Jackets, under a new GM (Don Waddell) and coach (Evason), have demanded from Merzlikins first and foremost that he be a good teammate. Evason has raved about his efforts and performance to that end, and it’s been clear that veteran players in the dressing room have tried to embrace him.Who can say how long this current break will last? It could be up to Merzlikins. It could also be up to Greaves, who will be making his first NHL start this season and the 11th of his career. He was an AHL All-Star last season, and this summer signed a two-year contract with Columbus that includes a one-way salary next season. Greaves has probably deserved a better fate, on the whole, so far in his NHL career. He has a 3-7-0 record despite a .912 save percentage.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5988266/2024/12/12/blue-jackets-goalies-merzlikins-break-greaves/

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5988266/2024/12/12/blue-jackets-goalies-merzlikins-break-greaves/

The guy has started 12 of the last 13 games and here he goes again with "Break" in quotation marks for clicks again.

Yes, his play has suffered over the last week after a good stretch but why does this dead horse need to keep being beaten?

 

[DarkandStormy]

Only Connor Hellebuyck (by two minutes) has played more minutes among NHL goalies since November 17th.

 

[Viqsi]

I’m still left to ask if Fabbro is the 1RD solution or bridge.

I think it probable that so long as Werenski is the 1LD Fabbro is the solution. We don't need him to be the unquestioned best RD on the team; we just need him to work well with the best blueliner on our team, and he's doing that.

Oh, and while I'm here, Jusso Parssinen is apparently now on the chopping block. He's not a speed transition guy but he's pretty good at the offensive zone cycle. (Poach More Preds!)

 

[Xoggz22]

I've got a few players in mind for a buy low list. No idea if it will look stupid in a couple years. Though my trade for Batherson proposal is looking good in hindsight.

Another Senator who I have my eye on is Shane Pinto. He's inexplicably getting terrible results this year. But I see a guy who has very impressive defensive ability and can score goals. Ridly Greig is also struggling a bit. I think Travis Green might be bringing the value down on these guys.

Dawson Mercer continues to stagnate in New Jersey. Just a very crafty player who has a lot of two-way potential and at times looks like he could be a big scorer. Didn't he hit a ten game goal streak last year? I don't know why he's not taking a step but he might benefit from a change of scenery.

Anaheim has a bunch of guys that are better than the results they're getting under Cronin. I've always kind of disliked the attention Zegras got but he's now swung too low, he's better than this. And Mason McTavish is struggling badly, I think he's better than this too.

Buffalo is scratching Jack Quinn a lot. He's a scorer who hasn't been scoring much, so it's not a surprise. But the scoring tools are really good, he has the full arsenal and should have some good seasons ahead of him.

Seattle might just be bad enough to sell some veterans, including our boy Bjorkstrand. If they struggle I imagine they might move Bjorkstrand at the deadline for a close prospect. Is LDBB too good for that? I suppose it depends on how many strong years you think Bjorkstrand has left. I still think he's great but I'm not sure on the timing. Tolvanen is a good third liner that I think might still be undervalued. The Seattle forecheck is not what it was and some of these guys are getting underutilized.

I don't think Maccelli's value is very high right now with only 10 pts. He's a small perimeter guy that is getting limited usage. But he could score 70 pts in the right situation.

Some of these guys would only take off in the right situation, with ice time, and we do have a lot of ice time available right now.

Good list. I have been a fan of Pinto from the beginning. Would personally love McTavish, but I don't think he's going anywhere. Another sophomore slump guy. Mercer? Greig.... two more I think would fit. Biggest challenge for me is the heart... I wouldn't want to give up our promise for them, but recognize you can't get them for nothing. I think we have are going to be really solid to high end down the middle in the very near future. I'd like to see another truly high end wing and have a 3rd line (whoever it might be), become as good as a top 6 line. Then you are a cup contender. (well.... improve the D and G )

Until Chinakov returns, the Jackets should call up DBBL to center Fantilli and Olivier. Drop ZAR to the 4th line and send Pyythia back to Cleveland. Let DBBL know the call up is because of Chinakov being out. Of course if he earns it, he could stay as there’s a spot here for an offensive forward. But doing it this way is a low risk move.

Do you mean LDBB? Luca?

 

[MoeBartoli]

Good list. I have been a fan of Pinto from the beginning. Would personally love McTavish, but I don't think he's going anywhere. Another sophomore slump guy. Mercer? Greig.... two more I think would fit. Biggest challenge for me is the heart... I wouldn't want to give up our promise for them, but recognize you can't get them for nothing. I think we have are going to be really solid to high end down the middle in the very near future. I'd like to see another truly high end wing and have a 3rd line (whoever it might be), become as good as a top 6 line. Then you are a cup contender. (well.... improve the D and G )


Do you mean LDBB? Luca?

Yes! Finger dyslexia.

 

[S1N4TR4]

so there’s rumors going around on twitter that I keep seeing Jet has been sent back to cleveland?



i’m confused.

 

[Cowumbus]

so there’s rumors going around on twitter that I keep seeing Jet has been sent back to cleveland?



i’m confused.

Paper move for something else?

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Geez

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

so there’s rumors going around on twitter that I keep seeing Jet has been sent back to cleveland?



i’m confused.

Could just be being cheap on the cap hits. The go back on AHL salary for the day and get recalled again tomorrow. Maybe pondering another move that might require a temporary roster spot being available. Maybe both.

TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League

theahl.com

 

[koteka]

Could just be being cheap on the cap hits. The go back on AHL salary for the day and get recalled again tomorrow.

Have we gotten to the cap floor yet?

 

[EspenK]

Have we gotten to the cap floor yet?

yes

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Vincent Desharnais is supposedly on the block from Vancouver. Given Waddell went after Trouba, think there’s any chance we try to buy low on him? Another RHD. Prime age. PKer. Not sure of his fit when Gudbranson returns though

 

[koteka]

Could just be being cheap on the cap hits. The go back on AHL salary for the day and get recalled again tomorrow. Maybe pondering another move that might require a temporary roster spot being available. Maybe both.

Does it maybe have something to do with keeping him eligible for AHL playoffs?

 

[stevo61]

Does it maybe have something to do with keeping him eligible for AHL playoffs?

I think that just needs to be done around the deadline

 

[Rowlet]

Vincent Desharnais is supposedly on the block from Vancouver. Given Waddell went after Trouba, think there’s any chance we try to buy low on him? Another RHD. Prime age. PKer. Not sure of his fit when Gudbranson returns though

I actually came to see if you guys were talking about Desharnais because it seems like a natural fit to this Vancouver fan, and he probably wouldn't cost much to acquire.

Big, good at clearing the crease, good on the PK, which it seems like you guys need help with, and an RHD to take up space after the Jiricek move and with Gudbranson injured.

 

[stevo61]

I actually came to see if you guys were talking about Desharnais because it seems like a natural fit to this Vancouver fan, and he probably wouldn't cost much to acquire.

Big, good at clearing the crease, good on the PK, which it seems like you guys need help with, and an RHD to take up space after the Jiricek move and with Gudbranson injured.

The issue is more where does he fit next year.

 

[Rowlet]

The issue is more where does he fit next year.

That's fair, is there a universe where Fabbro gets dealt at the deadline?

 

[stevo61]

That's fair, is there a universe where Fabbro gets dealt at the deadline?

If he thinks playing with Werenski inflates his value above a reasonable amount then maybe. I'm sure the team would like to keep him though

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Does it maybe have something to do with keeping him eligible for AHL playoffs?

Not until the trade deadline. I saw it may have something to do with the holiday roster freeze. Not sure on the details.