On Friday, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced that Zach Werenski would be attending the NHL All Star Game this weekend. He replaces Seth Jones, who is apparently fighting an illness.
I have mixed feelings about this. Obviously this is a thrill and an honor for Werenski, and should be the first of many appearances in this event. On the other hand, Werenski appears to be playing through an injury, as anyone who has read the game threads has seen. The team will play 32 games in 64 days after the break so I wanted Z to get some rest before that.
UPDATE
Regarding Seth Jones’ availability on Wednesday (normally if a player skips the ASG he has to miss a game before or after):
#CBJ have been told D Seth Jones will NOT have to miss Tuesday’s game vs. #mnwild. This is a legit illness, not a fishy one as some others may be.
Could still miss the game if he’s feeling ill, of course, but won’t be forced to sit a game because of this.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 26, 2018