The Columbus Blue Jackets take their two week break for the 4 Nations Challenge in a great spot. They have a record of 26-22-8 (60 points), already nearly matching their points total from last season (66), with 26 games remaining.
The best news for the team is that they'll come out of the break in much better health. They currently have six regulars sitting out due to injury: Boone Jenner, Sean Monahan, Yegor Chinakhov, Kirill Marchenko, Erik Gudbranson, and Dante Fabbro. There are others who are banged up, such as James van Riemsdyk, who has been wearing a bubble after taking an inadvertent high stick.
It goes without saying that this break probably came at the absolute best time for this team. Marchenko's absence in particular has been felt, and if he can hit the earliest estimates on his possible return, he'll be back right after this break.
Jenner is essentially a lock to hit the ice right away. Monahan should hopefully be close, or at least not too far off. Fabbro (fingers crossed) should be close as well, though the team has been mum on his condition. Chinakhov has been skating again.
Let's list them off: that's a top line winger, top line center, two middle six forwards, and a top pairing defenseman who could all be back for this team as it enters the stretch run. If each of these guys gets healthy, the team would just be without Gudbranson's services - and if they squeeze into the playoffs, there's a chance he could return as well.
The Jackets are about to get healthy, and hopefully very soon. Which begs the question: with the trade deadline approaching, and the team having played above expectations this season; how much do they really need to tinker with things?
Don Waddell wants to add, but only if it makes sense long-term.
It's a fine line for Don Waddell to walk. He wants to add a top-9 forward and will consider parting with a first round pick, but only for a player with term. This does make sense from a higher perspective, but with all of the guys coming back, I don't see much reason to upset this team's chemistry this season.
Just talking about the forwards, there are probably a dozen or more NHL teams who would kill to get a Boone Jenner, Sean Monahan, Yegor Chinakhov, or (Heaven forbid) a Kirill Marchenko at the trade deadline this year. The Jackets are about to add all four.
This is going to make for a crowded top-9 already, with Adam Fantilli, Dmitri Voronkov, Kent Johnson, James van Riemsdyk, and Cole Sillinger, already playing and contributing there. If anything, maybe Don is thinking about insurance for another injury.
But even with that considered, the Jackets still have Mathieu Olivier, Sean Kuraly, Justin Danforth and Zach Aston-Reese all contributing solid minutes. And, by all accounts, these are great locker room guys. Let's not forget Luca del bel Belluz and Mikael Pyyhtia, who have both given this team solid minutes this season but are currently skating with the Cleveland Monsters. And, Kevin Labanc has been thrown into the mix as well.
It's hard to see where all of the pieces fit. I just listed 16 guys who have battled hard this season. They deserve a chance to make a run together, for whatever comes out of it. If the Jackets go out and add another forward without giving one up, they're going to have to waive or trade someone they probably don't want to lose.
In my opinion, with the team needing its full health just to compete for a wild card spot; this isn't the year to make a big splash. Let's see where this group can take this team when fully healthy. Then, make the bigger splash over the summer.