Columbus Blue Jackets Odd Man out with Josh Anderson Soon to Return

The Columbus Blue Jackets are going to have their third leading scorer returning soon. Who will get bumped out with his return?

Josh Anderson has been out longer than expected with a knee sprain. Originally expected to be out for a month, the Columbus Blue Jackets third leading goal scorer has been out five weeks now. He just recently started skating in full gear according to Dave Maetzold.

It would be foolish for the Jackets to rush Anderson back into the lineup after the tear the team is on. They have positioned themselves well for the playoffs and have no pressing need to start him against the Red Wings on Tuesday.

But he will return before the playoffs and will push out a Jacket forward, most who are playing well. Tough decision will have to be made by coach John Tortorella soon on who to pull out for the 20 goal scorer Josh Anderson.

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So who will be the forward cut when Anderson returns?

Brandon Dubinsky

It’s no secret that this has been a rough year for Brandon Dubinsky. He has not produced offensively and is set to have his lowest point season in his career (outside of the lockout season). Defensively he hasn’t faired much better and his lack of contribution on the ice has led to his first health scratch as a Blue Jacket.

During the Vancouver game Dubinsky was demoted to the fourth line after starting the game centering the Sonny Milano and Oliver Bjorkstrand line. He only logged 9:52 of ice time, lowest among all forwards. The game before, Dubi had 5:27.

Dubinsky could be on the chopping block once Anderson returns because of Josh’s physical play. Anderson can match Dubinsky’s edgy play but also with a side of offense.

Brandon does have more playoff experience and the versatility to play both center and wing. Anderson on the other hand can not play down the middle. This will be enough to keep Dubi in the lineup, at least until Nick Foligno gets healthy and then he may not be needed at center anymore.

Matt Calvert

Calvert is the quintessential heart and soul guy for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He doesn’t pose an offensive risk and is nothing more than a solid fourth liner. He brings great energy to the power play but that isn’t something that Anderson can’t do.

In fact, I think Anderson is a more skilled and better sized Calvert. He can and does play on the penalty kill, he hits and flys around the ice pestering the opponent when is offensive game isn’t where it usually is.

But when Anderson’s game is on point, he can be deadly offensively. The same can not be said about Matt Calvert.

Calvert’s contract is expiring at the end of this season. Maybe it is time the CBJ get used to not having Matt in the lineup and replace him full time with Anderson.

Markus Hannikainen

Hannikainen usually would be the top name of this list of first cut and could be in Torts mind. But he hasn’t played like a guy that should be scratched. He has meshed well on the fourth line that has seen several centers anchor the line and has produced a goal in his last three games.

With the relatively significant ice time that he has received and Dubinskys poor play it isn’t out of the question that Hannikainen could dodge the healthy scratch that is soon to come.

But Markus Hannikainen’s inability to play center or kill penalties make him the most expendable out of the group of guys on the chopping block. The Columbus Blue Jackets can’t afford to have Josh Anderson trying to play center heading into the playoffs. They need him buzzing on the wing.

So I think it will be Hannikainen getting cut with Anderson’s return. But Dubinsky will be next if either Foligno or Lukas Sedlak return before the playoffs.

Next: Ranking Possible CBJ Playoff Opponents

The depth Jarmo added at the trade deadline is showing with this recent string of injuries to Jackets. They have weathered the storm though and will be heading into the playoffs with plenty of depth that have proven they can play in recent weeks.

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