Blue Jackets Recall Milano, Dean Kukan and Justin Falk
By Dave Knoch
Columbus Blue Jackets F Milano To Make His NHL Debut vs. Islanders
The Columbus Blue Jackets have brought up forward Sonny Milano along with defensemen Dean Kukan and Justin Falk from Lake Erie on emergency recall, per a release from the team.
Sonny Milano, Columbus’ first-round pick in 2014, has been performing well with the Monsters, tallying 12 goals and 15 assists in 48 games. Emergency recalls don’t necessarily result in ice time, but Coach Tortorella confirmed that Milano will make his NHL debut on Thursday night against the Islanders.
Speaking about Milano’s practice with the team, Torts told reporters “He can skate. I’m anxious to see him play.” Although Cam Atkinson was reported to have left practice early on Wednesday, all indications from the team are that he will be in the lineup when the Jackets take to the ice at the Barclays Center.
Ranked as the Blue jackets’ number 3 prospect by Hockey’s Future, Milano – who will suit up against the Islanders wearing number 22 – will likely see limited ice time at center as part of Tortorella’s evaluation of talent. Speaking of Boone Jenner and Nick Foligno, two wingers also seeing time at the centerman position, Tortorella explained “We’re going to go through the draft, trade, free agency… this just gives you an idea of what the player’s other capabilities are.” With the Blue Jackets hoping for luck in the upcoming draft position lottery, now is the time to get a glimpse of what the top prospects are capable of bringing to the parent club.
Swiss-born Dean Kukan makes his second trip to the big league club, having debuted on March 26th before ping-ponging back to Lake Erie. Signed to a two-year entry-level contract in June of 2015, the undrafted free agent became the first Swiss player to suit up for the Blue Jackets when he took to the ice against Nashville. He recall to the big league club seems to clearly indicate that defenseman Fedor Tyutin, who has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury for several days, will not be suiting up for Thursday night’s tilt.
Falk is 0-4-4 in 21 games with the Jackets this season and, barring an as-yet-unannounced injury or illness, will likely see only bench time. Acquired from the Minnesota Wild in March of 2015 for defenseman Jordan Leopold, Justin has spent the majority of his Blue Jackets career with AHL Lake Erie.
Next: Prospect Progress - Gabriel Carlsson
The Jackets season is, for all intents and purposes, in the books. The last six games give ample opportunity for Coach Tortorella and his staff to evaluate the talent pool and experiment with position shifts in preparation for Draft Day 2016. Expect more NHL debuts in the days ahead.