On Michael Chaput
With Matt Calvert and Jack Skille ready to return to the lineup, the Blue Jackets have assigned forward Michael Chaput to Springfield.
Personally I like the move as Chaput has looked overwhelmed at times centering the 4th line, and would be better served playing more minutes in the AHL and developing his game offensively as well.
In 18 games Chaput had just two points and a 40 Corsi For%, which ranked 2nd last on the team only ahead of Jared Boll.
With Chaput out of the picture and some other bodies back, Adam Cracknell has been moved down to the 4th line. He has played relatively well in Columbus' bottom-6 thus far, and is more than capable of handling 4th line duties.
Another boost for the Blue Jackets will be having Brian Gibbons on that line. He can play anywhere in the lineup, but if he's in the bottom-6, especially on the 4th line, there's a good chance his speed and skill is superior than whoever he's going up against. He should really help them get going.
On Boone Jenner
Jenner has been reunited with Ryan Johansen and Nick Foligno on the top line. The Hartnell - Johansen - Foligno line worked very well together, but Jenner's speed should be a boost to that line.
He's been very good since returning from injury - he has five points, 20 shots and a team-best 56.78 Corsi For% - and will really get a chance to take off playing with Johansen and Foligno, both of whom are averaging over a point per game.
With Scott Hartnell now on the 2nd line, he'll play with Artem Anisimov and Cam Atkinson. There's a good mix of speed, skill and strength there so they should be able to contribute at both ends of the ice.
On James Wisniewski and Tim Erixon
Injuries have forced Todd Richards to use a lot of different combinations - both up front and on defense - but Wisniewski and Erixon have always been steady when together. They've played primarily as a pairing, but have been split up a couple times.
Together they have a 54.28 Corsi For% and seem to compliment each other nicely, especially with them both being able to jump into the play and mobile enough to get back, and I think that's a pairing that should remain in tact.
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