Columbus Blue Jackets still seeking solution to Johnny Gaudreau, Patrik Laine conundrum
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Columbus Blue Jackets still seeking solution to Johnny Gaudreau, Patrik Laine conundrum
Sep 25, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8), forward Kent Johnson (91), defenseman Andrew Peeke (2) and left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) celebrate a goal by left wing Patrik Laine (29) during the second period of the preseason NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch
Brian Hedger, Columbus Dispatch·The Columbus Dispatch
Play him at left wing withPatrik Laineon the right? Put him on the left side with Laine at center? Force one of them to abandon their preferred setup location on the left wall during power plays? Split them onto different power play groups?
Oct 4, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine (29) celebrates his goal with Johnny Gaudreau (13) and Kirill Marchenko (86) during their game against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 at Nationwide Arena.
Going into a game Friday against Gaudreau's former team, theCalgary Flames, they're on different lines and power play units.
"I'm not saying it doesn't work and last year they had good games together, but we're just trying to find what works now," Vincent said Thursday. "I feel like there's a good chemistry between Johnny and (Kirill) Marchenko. Somehow their style of play (fits). … But we know that Patrik and Johnny can play together. That's not an issue."
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According to Natural Stat Trick, Gaudreau and Laine have skated together for 441:09 over 56 games at even strength since Gaudreau's Columbus arrival. TheBlue Jacketsare even in goals scored/allowed (22-22) but have generated 29 fewer scoring chances (231-260), 18 fewer high-danger chances (79-97) and scored seven fewer goals (5-12) on in those high-danger situations.
The Jackets have also struggled more with Gaudreau on the ice separately than Laine than with Laine on the ice separately from Gaudreau.
Jan 31, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Patrik Laine (29) celebrates a goal by left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) during the third period of the NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets lost 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch
On power plays, Vincentand assistant Marc Recchi are attempting to balance the skill of both units by splitting Gaudreau and Laine onto each. That solves the issue of Gaudreau and Laine each preferring to play the left side in a 1-3-1 power-play setup but blocks the possibility of them becoming a force together.
"That was the spot I was at for nine straight years in Calgary, so it all just comes a little more natural and comfortable over there," Gaudreau said. "Patty's got such a one-time threat (there). It's hard to take (that) away from that spot because he's got such a great shot, so I think the coaching staff tried something a little bit different. Instead of one (top) powerplay with five offensive guys, you've got two power play units who … you could have a 1A and a 1B."
It hasn't worked yet, which is a reminder that a two-word caveat to this is mandatory just three games into a season: "For now."
Oct 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) shoots during the third period of the NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets lost 4-0.
For now, Gaudreau and Laine are split up. For now, the Blue Jackets are using them to balance lines and power play groups. Either thing could change if Vincent doesn't like how things are going, which is grating at both stars.
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"It would be easier to build chemistry when you're on the ice at the same time," Laine said. "It's hard to build chemistry when you're playing on different lines, but that's just the way it goes sometimes. When a team is losing, you look for different line combinations and all that, but it's hard to build chemistry when you get to play a game together here and there, and then you lose, and everything switches again."
Gaudreau agreed while acknowledging it's been a challenge to fully click with Laine.
"When you have two players who are offensive, like we are, sometimes you both want the puck a little too long," Gaudreau said. "Sometimes when you have that, it doesn't mesh well right away, but you've got to stick with it. I'm sure we'll play together again at some point and … we've just got to figure that out."
Oct 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) controls the puck during the second period of the NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Nationwide Arena.
Tough roster decision ahead for Columbus Blue Jackets
Zach Werenski (thigh contusion)is expected to be activated off injured reserve Friday after participating in practices Wednesday and Thursday. That will force the Jackets to make a corresponding roster move to create a spot for Werenski.
Oct 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman David Jiricek (55) lines up for a face off during the second period of the NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings at Nationwide Arena.
Other options include assigning a different waivers-exempt player to the AHL or placing a non-exempt player on waivers for the purpose of assignment to Cleveland. The Jackets did that last weekend with forwardEric Robinsonto create a roster spot for Jiricek.
"That's going to be a tough one," Vincent said. "That's something we need to talk with the management (about)."
Dec 9, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) fights for control of the puck with Calgary Flames center Trevor Lewis (22) during the first period of the NHL hockey game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Calgary Flames at Nationwide Arena on Friday night. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch
Columbus Blue Jackets forwardJohnny Gaudreauhas dimmer spotlight against Calgary Flames
Johnny Gaudreau and his former teammates on the Calgary Flames didn't have time to get together Thursday for dinner the way they did a year ago. That rankled former Calgary coach Darryl Sutter following a victory for the Blue Jackets over the Flames, but no such controversy will happen this time.
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Calgary will be finishing a back-to-back that began Thursday in Buffalo, while Gaudreau departs after the game for the Jackets' back-to-back finale Saturday in Minnesota.
"I'm a little bit of old news now," Gaudreau said. "I'm sure it'll be a little different when we go out there (to Calgary), but it's still exciting to play against them. I still have a lot of good buddies on that team."
