Who's Missing At Practice On 2022 Trade Deadline Day- 3/21/22

So, this might surprise a few people, however only 2 Columbus Blue Jacket are reportedly missing from this morning's team practice.  This is the only practice here in Columbus before the team leaves for Pittsburg later this afternoon.  1 player not with the team today, in my mind, isn't surprising: Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins.  With Berube being called up after he left the game, in visible pain Saturday against the Blues, no surprise.  

The second player missing isn't surprising either, but notable.  Many have rumored a Max Domi trade for weeks now.  Even I've been asking Dylan Tyrer, Jeff Svoboda and last night Bob McEligott about the subject often.  Today he's reportedly not on the ice, via Jeff Svoboda's eye, and I trust that eye very much.  

With Max Domi not present it gives me a gut feeling on another Blue Jacket, who's been in question for months now, regarding a trade.  Yes, I'm going to say it again, but that doesn't mean I want to.  Joonas Korpisalo.  For those concerned about a trade, he's with recalled Berube and on the ice, right now, with his team.  So, maybe the Merzlikins injury, whatever it may be, has in fact changed things.  Seems a bit odd to me that he'd be practicing while Domi, a hot player in the trade talks, is not.  I don't want to jump to conclusions, just an observation I think matters today.  

We'll see what the rest of today brings, 5th Line.  

Sourced Quotes From Jeff Svoboda:

1)    Looks like Korpisalo and Berube will be the two goalies at #CBJ practice this morning.

2)    Among the skaters, that is. Elvis Merzlikins, who left Saturday’s game in the third period, not on the ice. #CBJ

3)    Looks like all are present and accounted for at #CBJ practice today except Max Domi.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What the Ranger's Elimination From the 2024 NHL Playoffs Means for the Columbus Blue Jackets Acquired 2026 Draft Pick

It's been an interesting 2024 NHL Playoffs already. This was captivating by watching the divide among the 5th Line fans who chose to watch the playoffs and cheer on former Blue Jackets. As the Eastern Conference Final was set, we saw Sergei Bobrovsky on one end of the ice as a Florida Panther. On the other end of the ice, representing the New York Rangers, stood three former Jackets, Artemi Panarin, Alexander Wennberg, and Jack Roslovic. Due to the final player I listed with the New York Rangers end of the ice, this playoff series had implications for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Trade the organization did, sending Jack Roslovic to the New York Rangers, was for a conditional Fourth Round Draft Pick in the future 2026 NHL Draft. The condition to this pick was that if the Rangers advanced all the way to the Stanley Cup Final 2024, the Draft pick would increase to the third round. With the Florida Panthers eliminating the New York Rangers tonight in Game 6 (the final was 2-1), The B
Read more

Brenden Gaunce, Nick Blankenburg, and Jake Bean Sign NHL Deals Away From Columbus Blue Jackets

The 2024 Trade Deadline gives and takes away every season. Today, the Columbus Blue Jackets signed Sean Monahan to a deal that will last five years and give him a 5.5 Million AAV. This was the brighter side of the day as several Columbus Blue Jackets and Cleveland Monsters players signed elsewhere, including a favorite of mine.  The 30-year-old Center, Brenden Gaunce, left us to join the Minnesota Wild. He agreed to a deal that will go through the 2025-26 NHL Season. He was in Columbus last season for 24 games and had 4 points with an even 2 goals and 2 assists. I have yet to see what his contract is valued at, but nevertheless, I wish him good luck with the Wild.  Jake Bean had the 5th Line divided. Some saw value in him staying, while others wanted him traded months ago. He wasn't traded today but signed to become a Calgary Flame. This contract will take him through the 2025-26 NHL Season like Brenden Gaunce. It'll pay him roughly 1.75 million each season. Appearing in 72 gam
Read more

Rest in Peace, Johnny and Mathew Gaudreau- Part One

I've learned something over the roughly two and a half weeks since we lost Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Mathew; I will never be ready to write this blog. I've been avoiding this because my words seem hollow and empty to me; like anything I could say would be redundant and not enough. August 29th, 2024 will forever be burned into my brain alongside July 4th, 2021, the date we lost goaltender, Matiss Kivlenieks, in a firework accident when he used himself to shield others. To say this franchise and its fans have suffered too many tragedies since I started covering the team in May 2020 is an understatement. When we lost 'Kivi' I never imagined doing this again, but I am, and I won't lie to you because I never have; I hate that I have to do this again. My heart is shattered, especially for the Gaudreau family, and I don't think I'll ever find all the pieces. The hockey community will forever be changed by this tragedy. None of us want to accept that this nig
Read more