Hard to believe Jackets fans, but the pre-season slate of games is already half over. The CBJ's have already played four of their eight pre-season games, all coming in the last four days. Additionally, the first wave of cuts came down Wednesday, but the larger cuts should be coming out today (Thursday) or Friday. Coach Todd Richards has said he'd like to be down to one group - roughly 30-35 guys - by the weekend.
Injury update:
-Matt Calvert has been out the past week with a groin injury. He should be good to go by next week.
-Nathan Horton is on track for his return some time in November or December.
-Dalton Prout is on schedule or slightly ahead of schedule for his return. The team expects he'll get a pre-season game or two in coming up. He has resumed practicing, though he is not cleared for full contact.
Pre-season games in the books:
The Jackets won 5-4 in OT over Pittsburgh on Sunday. Ryan Murray made his NHL debut and did so in dramatic fashion, netting the game-winning goal on the rush thanks to R.J. Umberger's set up.
The team then followed that up with a split-squad night on Tuesday. The team at home, playing against Buffalo, lost 3-1. Coach Richards was not happy to say the least. Bobrovsky made his pre-season debut in net for a couple periods, letting in two goals. The "younger" of the two squads was sent to Minnesota and won 3-1 thanks to Ryan Johansen, Cam Atkinson, and Mark Letestu - the veterans on the road trip. Little-known Jeremy Smith stopped 20 of 21 shots in his first NHL action in net.
The Jackets followed that up with a 5-4 win at Carolina on Wednesday night. The top line of Boone Jenner - Dubinsky - Gaborik turned heads as they combined for 3 goals (5 assists, 8 total points).
Cuts:
Five cuts were made Wednesday as many of the junior clubs get underway.
-Goalie Oscar Dansk (second-round pick in 2012) was sent back to his junior team of last season in the OHL. This isn't really a surprise, as he's looked at more of as a "project" at just 19 years of age. He had an outside opportunity at making the Springfield team.
-2013 second-round draft pick Dillon Heatherington is back with his WHL team. The blue line is pretty stacked right now as it is.
-Among the forwards, Josh Anderson, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Nick Moutrey were also sent back to their junior teams.
One-timers:
-Kerby Rychel is the only 2013 first-round pick at CBJ camp. This is more of a reflection of the depth among the organization and not a knock on Dano or Wennberg (the other two first rounders).
-Boone Jenner is turning heads. It will be extremely hard to keep him off the team this year.
-Cam Atkinson is getting a look at the top LW spot. Cam has played RW his whole career, but with Prospal not coming back he may make the switch to his off wing.
-James Wisniewski and Ryan Murray have been paired up on defense for two pre-season games. This could be a sign of some chemistry. Look for a 29/27 pairing on opening night.
-Veteran goalie Tim Thomas and his agent denied rumors this past week about going to Columbus. The whole situation is a bit unclear, but it's an obvious sign that management is still looking at the free agent pool to improve the team. That said, McElhinney should be a decent enough backup for 10-15 games this year.
Expect a clearer roster picture by next week. The 614 will keep you updated. And remember, just two weeks until the regular season kicks off. Time is certainly flying.
EDIT - And just like that, 18 roster cuts were made this afternoon, including Rychel. No real surprises among the 18. You can find the names of all those no longer at camp at bluejackets.nhl.com.
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