x

Already member? Login first!

Comments / New

Wiz Out, Brassard Down – The Body Count Rises

The Jackets have officially placed James Wisniewski on IR for his broken foot, with an estimated recovery time of 4-6 weeks. If we look at the worst case (and at this point, why not?), he’ll probably return for the final week of the regular season. In the mean time, I’d expect to see Fedor Tyutin and Nikita Nikitin logging heavy minutes, while the MASH unit of Erixon, Moore, Aucoin, and Goloubef fill in the slack until Jack Johnson can get healthy and draw back in.

Meanwhile, Aaron Portzline has reported that Derick Brassard’s injury from last night’s game, while thankfully not a concussion, will keep him out at least a week, perhaps two. Given his history, one has to wonder if the shoulder injured back in 2008 might be the culprit. If so, the fact that it was an injury originally incurred against Dallas is just a bit too ironic.

With Dubi, AA, and Brass all on the shelf, it’s possible the club will try to lean on Ryan Johansen, Derek MacKenzie, R.J. Umberger, and Mark Letestu up the middle, but I wouldn’t be shocked if we see Nick Drazenovic getting more ice time.

If the club decides to recall any other forwards, it’s likely that Tomas Kubalik or JAM might find their way back, or Jarmo might decide to give Michael Chaput a look.

The other option, though a long shot, would be for the club to argue they cannot spare anyone else from the Falcons (and given the way we’ve been raiding the cupboard, there’s some merit to that), in which case Boone Jenner might be brought up for a game or two until AA or Dubinsky is healthy enough to go, but I’m leaning against it happening – John Davidson has repeatedly stated he wants Boone in Oshawa this season, and I don’t think the situation is dire enough to make him change his mind at this point.

Meanwhile, the Jackets will get to face the Blackhawks, the Avalanche, the Oilers, and the Canucks before we can reasonably expect Brass to return, and it’s entirely possible he’ll be out for a home and home with the Red Wings and the rubber matches with the Canucks and Hawks before he’s available.

So, in other words, the path to the #1 pick is once again spreading out before us…