Seth Jones Returning to the Columbus Blue Jackets Lineup
Seth Jones will be in the lineup tomorrow for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Big news for the Columbus Blue Jackets today as coach John Tortorella announced that Seth Jones will return to the lineup tomorrow against the Arizona Coyotes. The Blue Jackets top defenseman has missed the first seven games of the year after suffering a torn ligament in his knee during a preseason game.
The injury, sustained in Clinton, NY during the Kraft Hockeyville game against the Buffalo Sabres, was scheduled to keep Jones out for four-to-six weeks. Tomorrow will mark exactly four weeks since Jones suffered that injury.
In the seven games the Jones missed the Jackets moved David Savard up to the top pair with Zach Werenski. Savard, who had his best game of the season against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, will now be bumped down to the 3rd pair as Jones will slot back in with his normal d-partner Werenski.
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Moving Savard down to the third pair is a tough move but the only move really as Ryan Murray and Markus Nutivaara are playing so well as the second pair. Jones and Z were always going to be paired up so Savard is just the odd man out left to play alongside either Adam Clendening, Scott Harrington, or Dean Kukan. All three will remain on the team as the Jackets didn’t need to send a player to Cleveland with only 22 players on the roster before Jones’ return.
Jones comes back as the Jackets started the year 4-3-0 without him in the lineup. Not bad considering the Jackets were without their second best player. The All-Star defenseman should help the anemic power play and take the pressure off of Zach Werenski who is playing well, but doesn’t seem to be at 100% health.
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The Jackets weathered the storm of not having Seth Jones for the first seven games very well. Eight points keeps them in the upper half of the Metro Standings. Jones back will certainly help them climb to the top of the division.