The CBJ Writer

 12/9/21 Tonight, during Period 2, Adam Boqvist left the game against the Ducks in Nationwide Arena.  It was just retweeted by Jeff Svoboda, @JacketsInsider, that he will miss the remainder of the game, at least.  Why is not clear beyond the team releasing he has an "upper body injury" @BlueJacketsPR.  If there are further updates I'll keep you posted 5th Line.   Source: Jeff Svoboda @JacketsInsider On Twitter.  Tweet Sourced from CBJ Public Relations, @BlueJacketsPR " INJURY UPDATE: #CBJ blueliner Adam Boqvist suffered an upper body injury and will not return to tonight's game vs. Anaheim.

The Blue Jackets are keeping me busy today, and I love it, especially when it's good news like this!  Two tweets from Jeff Svoboda today, the @JacketsInsider, regarding goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.   Tweet 1:  2h ago " Korpisalo also rotating in with Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov during #CBJ morning skate." Tweet 2:  2h ago " Joonas Korpisalo on the Nationwide Arena ice working with Manny Legace ahead of today’s #CBJ morning skate. Good to see Korpi feeling better." 100% agree with him, it's so nice to see him back on the ice, again, where he belongs. I know there were a lot of trade rumors, and I explored some of them yesterday in a post. However, after seeing him working with Legace again, I feel they might just be that again, rumors. Remember, we went through this in the summer, shortly before, and after, Matiss Kivlenieks tragic passing. He has a Save Percentage of .880, right now. This is over only 7 total games, 3 wins and 4 losses. If th...

After a comeback against the Maple Leafs, where the Blue Jackets were down 5-2 entering the third period, Brad Larson has reportedly decided to make no changes, at all.  The Blue Jackets just narrowly lost to the Maple Leafs, 5-4, on Monday night.  It was an impressive comeback, and hopefully with the team back home, all four lines can produce that well and win, tonight.   Regarding goaltending, Brad Larson has also decided to put Merzlikins back in net.   Knock on wood, Merzlikins does well at home with the 5th Line behind him, no doubt!  So, Tarasov will likely back up Merzlikins, again, tonight.  We'll see how this combo does in Nationwide Arena.  With any luck it will boost this team up enough to win, on the road, as they head out again after just one home game.   Go CBJ Source: Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider on Twitter)  Tweet Sourced:  "  #CBJ head coach Brad Larsen confirms same lineup tonight which means Elvis...

Rumors are swirling again like cotton candy in a machine that Joonas Korpisalo could be traded by the Columbus Blue Jackets, again.  Normally I don't speculate, but there are signs this could be happening.  So, given we have a transportation day today, as the team fly's from Canada to Columbus, Oh, let's dive into this theory.    We're going to start with Korpisalo's stats first.  Last season (2020-21) his Save Percentage was a fair .897%.  Last season many people weren't impressed with this, regarding trading, especially for what the team wanted in return for the goaltender.  So, this season with his 3-4-0 record his Save Percentage is actually lower, .880%.  It might not sound like a significant shift, but in the world of NHL goaltending, it is.   Going into teams who could want Joonas Korpisalo, and give the Blue Jackets a fair trade, one team has already counted themselves out.  I've seen multiple headlines stating that the Sabr...

The first period of tonight's Blue Jackets @ Maple Leafs game belonged to the Maple Leafs.  Nylander, Matthews, and Ritchie all scored.  The score for just Period 1 was 3-0 Maple Leafs.  The defense needed to find their legs, to help Merzlikins, and it just didn't happen.   The Blue Jackets would rebound slightly with a goal from Bjorkstrand.  This would make it 3-1 Maple Leafs.  However, Tavares and Matthews would also score, and score quick.  The score after 2 periods would be a high 5-1 lead for the Maple Leafs.   Period 3 would highlight a shift in power though, as the Blue Jackets would mesh well to finish the game.  Bjorkstrand would score again, followed by a goal from Kuraly and a buzzer beater from Domi.  Sadly, the Blue Jackets couldn't edge the gap enough to force an overtime, however, they made the Maple Leafs sweat a bit, as they edged a win by only a goal.  To be honest, I find this 5-4 loss impressive. ...

Head Coach Brad Larson has clearly decided that Sunday night went so well, we're just going to do it the exact same way, against the Maple Leafs, tonight. This means that all offensive and defensive lines will remain untouched.  Further, Merzlikins will remain in his position as goaltender.  And why not?  With a 6-4 win it's simple, if it isn't broke, then why fix it?   Puck drop tonight is in Toronto, 7:00 PM.  See you then 5th Line! Go CBJ! Source: Jeff Svoboda on Twitter (@JacketsInsider)  Tweet Sourced:   No changes to the #CBJ lineup tonight in Toronto. Elvis Merzlikins in net against the Maple Leafs.

It's hard to believe that it's now been over a month since hometown favorite, Patrik Laine, pulled his oblique.  This was meant to put the talented Right Winger out for between 4 and 6 weeks.  As of this past Friday, December 3rd, it has been 4 weeks since that night in Colorado, against the Avalanche.  Sadly, this isn't the end of this story, as he also lost his dad during the process of physically healing.  So, what does this mean?  When could he return to the ice?  Thanks to Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider on Twitter) seeing our curiosity, he asked Head Coach Brad Larson for us.  This is what he had to say: "He’s coming along. It's day by day. Those injuries, they take time. ... As far as a timeline, I don't know." (Via @Jackets Insider on Twitter). It is obvious why the fans are looking forward to his return.  In his short season of only 9 games he had a total of 10 points.  This consisted of 3 goals and 7 assists.  Very impressive w...