So, yeah, this is when things start to get really interesting. The trade deadline has come and gone, and both of these teams look different. The Jackets made the biggest splash, acquiring winger Marian Gaborik. He will take the ice tonight for the first time in a Blue Jackets sweater, wearing his usual #10. He will skate on the first line. Per Porty, the lines have been shuffled as follows:
Marian Gaborik – Artem Anisimov – Vinny Prospal
R.J. Umberger – Ryan Johansen – Nick Foligno
Matt Calvert – Mark Letestu – Cam Atkinson
Derek MacKenzie – Brandon Dubinsky – Colton Gillies
One assumes this is an accidental inversion, since Prospal has played a lot of left wing of late, and Gaborik prefers the right side. If not, it’s an odd switch. But, whatever: those three played together in New York, and had some success together. If that’s what they want, I ain’t about to argue.
This marks the return of Nick Foligno and Brandon Dubinsky. Talk about getting healthy at the right time!