Columbus Blue Jackets rookie winger Oliver Bjorkstrand had been ruled out of Saturday’s game. Bjorkstand is recovering from a vicious hit he took on Wednesday against Toronto.
As reported by Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Disptach, Oliver Bjorkstand will not play on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Columbus Blue Jackets winger is still recovering from a hit from Roman Polok on Wednesdays loss to Toronto.
#CBJ RW Oliver Bjorkstrand feeling better, says GM Jarmo Kekalainen, but ruled out of Saturday's game vs #Flyers. No other details provided.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 24, 2017
The hit left Bjorkstand on the ice for several minutes. There has been no official word on his diagnosis
Without Bjorkstand, the Columbus Blue Jackets have been forced to shift lines around and try out new combinations. Coach John Tortorella had been doing this prior to Bjorkstrand’s injury. Now though, it has become a necessity to shake things up and see who fits best where.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Scott Hartnell was a healthy scratch for the Toronto game. Following Bjork’s injury Hartnell came back into the line-up on a line with Sam Gagner and Josh Anderson.
The only common line over the last two games has been the Sedlak-Karlsson-Calvert line. Except for this line, Saturday’s game against the Flyers will more than likely see more line shake ups.
How Long Without Bjork?
It’s impossible to know how long the Columbus Blue Jackets will be without Oliver Bjorkstrand, especially without a diagnosis.
With only nine games left in the regular season and down three points, the top spot in the division is realistically within reach. But having to jump both the Pens and Caps when there are still two games against both those teams is challenging.
Again, we have no way of knowing how bad Bjorkstand is injured. That being said, there is no reason to risk further injury by trying to get him back in quickly. Sit the rookie for the rest of the regular season, and the playoffs if necessary.
Jarmo talks about the door of opportunity just beginning to open for this team. The same door of opportunity is opening on Bjork’s career. Let him recover fully. Despite the pressure to win now, its not worth the rush.