The Columbus Blue Jackets have done something they haven’t done since March 2022. With their 3-2-0 record to start the 2023-24 season, they have more wins than losses in their record. They were able to get their third win of the season Saturday night in Minnesota without Patrik Laine in the lineup.
That’s where we start this week’s edition of Blue Jackets News & Rumors. Will Laine be able to return anytime soon? And how did the team get to this point?
Laine Status
As the seconds were ticking down Friday night to a 3-1 win for the Blue Jackets, Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson laid a high, forceful elbow into Laine’s head. Laine stayed down for a few moments before getting up and skating off on his own power. He chucked his helmet down the runway in frustration.
It’s easy to see why Laine was frustrated. Last season, it took just one game. This season, it happened in Game 4. An unfortunate injury met him both times early.
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As for when Laine might return, coach Pascal Vincent said on Saturday that Laine is considered day-to-day. He’s still on the active roster as of this writing. Mathieu Olivier entered the lineup Saturday as the only extra forward.
The Blue Jackets do not play again until Tuesday night at 6:30 P.M. eastern against the Anaheim Ducks. That’s the night all 32 teams are in action.
As for the hit to Laine’s head, Andersson was handed a stiff four-game suspension for charging. It was a completely unnecessary hit that the NHL is trying to get rid of. Andersson is appealing that suspension.
Since the suspension was five games or less, the appeal will be heard by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. The hope for Andersson is that the suspension is reduced as much as possible but by one game in particular. The fourth game is the Heritage Classic. No player has been suspended this long in the regular season since Evgeni Malkin got four games in April 2022 for cross-checking Mark Borowiecki.
While it is undetermined how long Laine will be out, it’s good news for the Blue Jackets that he’s day-to-day. At this point in the season, there’s no real rush to get him back. Since it’s a head injury, make sure he’s 100% ready before coming back. The team will need him a lot later in the season.
Fantilli’s First
It really was only a matter of time. Adam Fantilli not only got his first goal Saturday night in Minnesota, he got it at a huge part of the game. With the score 3-3 in the third and the Blue Jackets on the power play, Fantilli found himself in the slot with an opportunity to shoot. He roofed it.
Fantilli had plenty of chances before this goal too. Whether it was a great save by Jacob Markstrom Friday or hitting the post on a couple of occasions, he was attacking the net with regularity. All he had to do was continue being aggressive and it would pay off.
Fantilli also was the Blue Jackets’ number-one center with Laine out of the lineup. He’s quickly gained the trust of the coaches and his teammates. That goal though seemed to get a little bit of weight off him given how close he was before.
Fantilli’s teammates wasted no time in celebrating the first of his many goals to come in the locker room.
While doing postgame, Fantilli got shaving cream in the face. He seemed to enjoy every minute of it. As for the first goal puck, he said his dad would likely get it. He told Bally Sports’ Dave Maetzold: “My dad’s gonna steal it from me right away. I’m not gonna get to hold onto this thing. He steals everything.”
The Blue Jackets and their fans have long waited for someone like Fantilli. He’s enjoying every moment of his rookie season and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Foudy Waived
We touched on this some in our latest Sunday Long Read. The Blue Jackets placed Liam Foudy on waivers. He was claimed by the Nashville Predators. His Blue Jackets’ tenure has come to an end.
The question many are wondering is where did this go wrong? It’s hard to pinpoint just one thing here. Covid-19 certainly didn’t help matters.
Foudy was the Blue Jackets’ first-round pick in 2018. He was an emergency recall from the London Knights for a game in Buffalo. He also scored a huge goal in the Toronto bubble that helped eliminate the Maple Leafs.
Then injuries came into play. Foudy missed a significant period of time with an upper-body injury. Then he found himself in direct competition with several players.
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While Foudy had some good moments, there wasn’t enough impact moments over the course of time. Being waived now was more of an issue of needing a roster space for David Jiricek as opposed to anything performance related this season.
With others such as Fantilli, Justin Danforth and potentially Dmitri Voronkov ready for more playing time, the Blue Jackets had to make a tough decision. Foudy still has a lot to give.
The Predators are getting a fast skater who can be an effective bottom-six player. He’s on a cheap contract and under team control. Foudy will reunite with former London Knights’ teammate Luke Evangelista.
In all, development hinderances due to Covid and injuries coupled with more players competing for roster spots led to this moment. Foudy will get every opportunity to succeed in Nashville with this new opportunity.
Side Dishes
- During the second intermission of Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday night, Elliotte Friedman listed defenseman Andrew Peeke as a situation to watch. He played in Game 1 and hasn’t played since. With Jiricek playing, it’s very possible something comes from this. The Blue Jackets have a logjam and would love to find a trade that makes sense.
- Elvis Merzlikins has a .920 save percentage in his three games and Spencer Martin has a .915 in his two games. When was the last time the Blue Jackets had this kind of goaltending? It’s early but it’s encouraging.
- Tuesday night will see Fantilli play against Leo Carlsson and the Ducks. This draft class will be fascinating to watch over time. The Ducks got their choice of player and the Blue Jackets greatly benefited. All three of Fantilli, Carlsson and Connor Bedard have goals already this season.