After last night’s shootout loss, some kind of roster moves were expected, but the decision to send Cam Atkinson back to Springfield was not on my radar.
Scoring his first NHL goal earlier this week against the Vancouver Canucks, Atkinson seemed to be adjusting well to the NHL pace and competing for the puck regardless of the opponent, having played up in the lineup with Vermette and Umberger or down on a line with Matt Calvert and Derek MacKenzie.
This move could allow Maksim Mayorov more ice time, which he has earned, but it appears the Jackets may have other wheels in motion. When I contacted the team to ask if any other moves were likely to take place today, I was told to check back later, so it seems that something else may be brewing.
The most likely possiblity would be the calling up of a forward like Tomas Kubalik or possibly Cody Bass, depending on where Scott Arniel and Scott Howson wish to try and create a spark. Do you go for Kubalik for a skilled pair of hands who isn’t afraid to get dirty in front of the net, or do you shuffle Bass in for more defensive ability and a willingness to play with an edge?