- On the 32 Thoughts segment of Hockey Night in Canada this evening, Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek discussed trade talk heating up around Columbus Blue Jackets’ forward Max Domi. Marek mentions the Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins, and Colorado Avalanche as potential suitors for the forward. However, for Washington, in order to facilitate this trade, they would likely need a third team to participate, as the Capitals only have $155K in deadline day cap space. A deal of this nature could prove more expensive for Washington, however they will have to face that reality in almost any scenario. This season, Domi has nine goals and 23 assists in 52 games for Columbus.
Blue Jackets Rumors
No Recent Contract Talks Between Blue Jackets And Max Domi
- There haven’t been any recent discussions between the Blue Jackets and Max Domi regarding a contract extension, notes David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period (Twitter link). The 27-year-old has 32 points in 52 games this season and the fact he can play on the wing and down the middle should be of interest to playoff-bound teams. What won’t be something many of those contenders have interest in, however, is his contract, as his $5.3MM cap hit is one that will be difficult for them to afford. Regardless, Columbus should be able to find a trade taker for him by Monday.
Minimal Interest So Far In Joonas Korpisalo
- The Blue Jackets haven’t had much interest in goaltender Joonas Korpisalo so far, notes Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli. Earlier in the season, they had hoped to pick up a second-round pick or a third rounder for his services but Seravalli pegs their asking price at a late-round selection now. It has been a tough year for the pending UFA as he has a save percentage of just .880 in 20 games this season, 22 points below his career average.
Injury Notes: Lehner, Jenner, Oilers
Multiple reports over the past day suggest that Vegas Golden Knights netminder Robin Lehner could be in danger of missing the rest of the regular season with a knee injury, adding to the laundry list of injuries that Lehner’s had to deal with this season. Backup goalie Laurent Brossoit has gone into a free fall since Lehner’s injury, with his save percentage dipping all the way down to .895 after a solid start to the season. Third-stringer Logan Thompson has also really struggled in his few starts this season, so there seems to be no clear answer within the organization at the moment. It’s likely going to force Vegas’ hand to trade for a goaltender at the deadline, as the team is eighth in the Western Conference and out of the playoff picture in terms of points percentage.
Other injury-related notes from around the league today:
- Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner remains week-to-week, per head coach Brad Larsen. Jenner suffered a lower-body injury nearly a week ago now, putting a stop to what’s been a career season for him. His 23 goals through 59 games are tied for the team lead, he’s third on the team in points with 44, and he’s averaged over 20 minutes a night as the team’s best center.
- Jesse Puljujarvi and Kris Russell are both making their returns to the Edmonton Oilers lineup tonight against the Sabres, per the team. The return of Russell signals a fully healthy blue line in Edmonton, allowing youngsters Philip Broberg and Markus Niemelainen to return to the AHL for additional development time. Puljujarvi returns to his normal office in the team’s top-six, where he had 28 points in 46 games prior to his injury.
Poll: Can The Blue Jackets Catch The Capitals?
As early as mid-January, it seemed as though the Eastern Conference playoff picture was already complete given the discrepancy between the top eight and bottom eight teams. At the time, it was the Boston Bruins in the second wild card spot and the Detroit Red Wings as the first team out, but separated by .157 percentage points. Over the past two months, the Bruins have continued at the same clip but the Washington Capitals have fallen off, now sitting soundly in the second wild card spot with a .617 points percentage. On the other side of the midpoint, the Columbus Blue Jackets have emerged as the best of the rest and are sticking around the fringes of the East playoff picture with a .517 points percentage. Separated by .100 and with their final head-to-head match-up of the season approaching on Thursday, the question must be asked: can the Blue Jackets pull off the unthinkable and catch the Capitals, shaking up a conference playoff group that looked set in stone?
In terms of absolute points, Columbus sits 13 points back of Washington. However, they do hold a game in hand. Regardless, its still a significant gap between the teams with just over a quarter of the season remaining. The Blue Jackets do have an edge when it comes to remaining schedule. Not only do they have an extra game on Washington, but Columbus also has an easier slate with 11 games against playoff teams – less than half of their remaining contests. In contrast, the Capitals will face 12 playoff teams in their remaining 22 games. It is isn’t a major advantage for the Jackets, but could make all the difference in a tight race.
Statistically, the teams are not as different as it may seem. At first glance, the Capitals +28 goal differential to the Blue Jackets’ -25 looks like two teams in entirely different stratospheres. However, Columbus’ struggles are due mainly to goaltending, as Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo are both enduring difficult seasons and have their team ranked 30th in goals against per game. Meanwhile, Washington is ranked eighth in the same category. However, with improved play in net down the stretch, the Blue Jackets would become quite comparable to the Capitals. In terms of scoring, Washington is ranked ninth in goals for per game while Columbus is ranked 12th, separated by just 0.05. On the power play, both clubs have struggled, ranked 23rd and 24th respectively and again separated by just a marginal amount of 0.6%. On the penalty kill, the Capitals are 12th and the Jackets are 17th, but only 1.3% apart. In fact, outside of goals against the only area in which Washington is substantially outperforming Columbus is in physicality – 12th vs. 28th.
As for roster management, how the Blue Jackets consider their own playoff pursuit and approach the deadline could make all the difference. Even if the team decides to sell impending free agents like Korpisalo and Max Domi, they could still improve, especially considering the lacking play from both. With player-for-player trades or additional deals, the Blue Jackets could bring in another goaltender and add forward depth to replace Domi and help manage the injured Boone Jenner or Alexandre Texier; they wouldn’t necessarily have to be “buyers” if they target term players. Such an approach to the deadline could improve the roster and tighten the playoff race. If instead they move their rentals and opt to stick with their current roster, it would be to the advantage of the Capitals. Given their salary cap situation, Washington either has to be conservative at the deadline or get creative to make a big splash. Their overall status in the playoff picture suggests the former, but a big move from Columbus would shift the status quo.
It’s an uphill battle for Columbus and would require further decline from Washington, but the scenario is far more likely than it was a couple months ago. How might it all shake out in another month or so? Can the Blue Jackets catch the Capitals for the final wild card spot in the East?
Columbus Blue Jackets Place Boone Jenner On Injured Reserve
The Columbus Blue Jackets announced that they have placed forward Boone Jenner on injured reserve today. In a corresponding move, the team added winger Trey Fix-Wolansky from the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL on emergency recall. Jenner, the Blue Jackets’ captain, is considered week-to-week with a lower body injury.
Losing Jenner is certainly tough for the Blue Jackets, who sit 13 points back of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, but still consider themselves very much in the race. In addition to being their captain, Jenner also lines up as Columbus’ top center, and leads the team with 23 goals and 44 points in 59 games this season. The loss of Jenner also coincides with potential injuries to Patrik Laine and Jakub Voracek, reports The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline. Without them, Columbus loses its top three point producers, in addition to Alexandre Texier, who is currently on a leave of absence from the team.
Fix-Wolansky recently made his NHL debut for Columbus on February 8th, scoring his first NHL goal that game. The 22-year-old currently has two assists in five NHL games this year, along with an impressive 22 points in 32 games in the AHL this season. If Columbus hopes to stay in the playoff race, they will have to count on secondary options such as Fix-Wolansky.
Alexandre Texier Granted Leave Of Absence
The nightmare season for Alexandre Texier continues. The young forward has been granted an indefinite leave of absence from the Columbus Blue Jackets for personal reasons. Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen explained:
Recently, Tex has experienced personal losses of people very close to him and our priority right now is to support him in every way possible. We are going to give him the time he needs and look forward to welcoming him back to the Blue Jackets family when he is ready.
Texier, 22, hasn’t played since January because of a fractured finger, which stopped a successful season in its tracks. He had 11 goals 20 points in 36 games before the injury took him out of the lineup, with still no clear date for his return. Now, with this personal loss, it’s completely unclear when Texier will hit the ice again for the Blue Jackets.
The young French forward has scored 22 goals and 39 points in his 123-game NHL career to this point, after bursting onto the scene as a teenager in 2019. Signed through 2022-23 at a $1.525MM cap hit, he has also been included in some trade speculation, though the team has never seemed eager to move him. Something like this should put all of that speculation on pause, as the Blue Jackets and the rest of hockey support Texier while he goes through this period.
Eric Robinson Activated From Injured Reserve
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have Eric Robinson back on the roster, after activating him from injured reserve. Robinson, 26, suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee thanks to a Radko Gudas hit in late January and hasn’t played since. The speedy winger has six goals and 17 points in 42 games this season and is already signed through 2023-24, thanks to a two-year contract extension signed last summer.
Columbus Blue Jackets Extend Justin Danforth
The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to ink contracts with depth options, this time signing Justin Danforth to a two-year extension. Danforth’s new deal will carry an average annual value of $975K and keep him under contract through 2023-24. Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen released the following statement:
We’re very excited to sign Justin to this contract extension as he epitomizes the values we have as a team. Hard work, commitment, and determination. He has dedicated himself to becoming an NHL player over the past several years and his game has continued to grow throughout this season. He has become a trusted and valuable contributor on our team.
There aren’t many better stories of determination in the NHL than Danforth, who went from riding buses in the ECHL as an undrafted, overlooked forward, to becoming a regular in the Columbus lineup this season. Just 5’9″, the speedy forward spent four years at Sacred Heart University before spending nearly an entire season with the Cincinnati Cyclones in 2017-18. Three years overseas honing his game led to a one-year, $750K contract with the Blue Jackets organization last spring, his first NHL deal signed at the age of 28.
Now about to turn 29, he’s found some security and stability for the first time in his hockey career.
In 22 games with the Blue Jackets, Danforth–who is now a full-time winger–has five goals and seven points. While he started out with just a handful of minutes per game, head coach Brad Larsen has obviously felt more comfortable of late and has rewarded him with a ton more shifts. In the four games since the beginning of March, Danforth has averaged nearly 16 minutes a night, mostly skating on a line with Sean Kuraly and Max Domi. His place in the bottom-six seems secure enough for now with this new deal, a long-time coming for the former OJHL star.
Jarmo Kekalainen Comments on Max Domi Before Trade Deadline
As the trade deadline nears, the player on the Columbus Blue Jackets perhaps drawing the most attention is forward Max Domi. In a conversation with Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne of Sportsnet, Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen addressed the situation with Domi, a pending unrestricted free agent. He spoke on the fact that although Columbus internally expected to be in the mix for a playoff spot, that did not mean that they would be focused on being a “buyer” at the deadline. He referred to his approach to the trade deadline as one with “the big picture in mind,” and when asked about Domi specifically Kekalainen said that Domi had an “inconsistent” season and that the team would “see where [they’re] at in two weeks.”
Given Kekalainen’s firm stance on the team taking a “big picture” approach to the trade deadline, it would be fair to characterize Domi as a likely trade candidate given his contract situation. It is unclear whether Domi fits into the Blue Jackets’ long-term plans, and Kekalainen’s non-committal answer when asked about Domi’s future in Columbus can be viewed as an indication that the player’s days with the organization are numbered. Domi has always been a talented offensive player, his 72 point season for Montreal in 2018-19 is an indication of that, but he has not fit in Columbus. He has 18 goals and 50 points in his 100 games as a Blue Jacket. That’s a 41 point pace, decent enough, but a far cry from the 72-point form he flashed with the Canadiens and likely not enough to warrant receiving a similarly-priced extension on the $5.3MM against the cap he currently costs. Those factors combined with Kekalainen’s recent comments reinforce the idea that we are fast approaching the end of Domi’s time as a Blue Jacket.
- Like the Blue Jackets, the Chicago Blackhawks also have to consider the long-term fits of certain players on their roster. As the deadline approaches, one name being discussed is Dominik Kubalik. In a piece detailing the Blackhawks’ overall trade deadline situation, Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers of The Athletic add some more detail to the team’s situation with Kubalik. (subscription required) They assign Kubalik an “80%” likelihood of being traded, and report that a source indicated the Blackhawks’ asking price for the Czech Winger to be a second-round pick. Kubalik is an interesting trade candidate because of his scoring pedigree and relative youth. He scored 30 goals as a rookie and 17 goals and 38 points in 56 games last season, which is a 25-goal, 55-point pace. That’s strong production for a player who had not played North American professional hockey before arriving in Chicago. But Kubalik has been a bit less productive this season, with only 11 goals and 21 points in 57 games, and he is due a qualifying offer of around $4MM if a team wants to retain his rights as a restricted free agent. The Blackhawks’ new GM Kyle Davidson indicated that he would be embarking on a long-term rebuild of the team, so perhaps Kubalik becomes one of his first major moves to add draft capital to support that endeavor.