The Blue Jackets have been looking everywhere for offensive production.
After injuries to Sonny Milano and Josh Anderson in Saturday's game against the Senators, they'll turn to Kevin Stenlund and Marko Dano for help.
Stenlund has notched six goals and 10 assists in 27 games for the Cleveland Monsters, and he just had a 10-game point streak snapped on Saturday night. At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, he brings a physical yet skillful presence to the ice.
He's played four games with the Blue Jackets but has yet to register a point. According to head coach John Tortorella, Stenlund will see some time on the power play tonight.
We have a new nickname. Kevin Stenlund is Stens according to Tortorella. Stens is expected to get some PP time tonight. #CBJ
— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) December 16, 2019
Here's a taste of what Stenlund brings to the table:
Stenlunds goal came at :25 of the first. https://t.co/XUiU1o1dSx pic.twitter.com/4OPn96DtKZ
— Deana Weinheimer (@SinBinMonsters) December 1, 2019
Dano will suit up in a Blue Jackets jersey in Nationwide Arena during the regular season for the first time in 1,709 days. The Blue Jackets drafted him in the first round — 27th overall — in 2013. He registered eight goals and 13 assists in 35 games in his rookie season for Columbus. After the 2014-15 season, he was part of a trade that saw the Blue Jackets acquire Brandon Saad from Chicago.
Dano then bounced around, playing for the Blackhawks, Jets, and Avalanche. He signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Blue Jackets this offseason.
In the AHL, Dano's played well. He has three goals and nine assists in 25 games, highlighted by a six-game point streak (2G, 5A).
Here's a nifty backhand finish from him:
Marko Dano 2nd goal in season Cleveland Monsters (AHL) 19/20 @monstershockey @TheAHL @BlueJacketsNHL @HockeySlovakia pic.twitter.com/R1u8RjYuAJ
— Jakub Hrivnak (@JakeHrivnak) November 27, 2019
And who could forget this play from 2015, when he dangles beautifully past a Hurricanes defender and finds Scott Hartnell for a tap-in?
Marko Dano Scott Hartnell https://t.co/KlXWF2UMVv
— Hockey Videos (@TheHockeyVideos) March 17, 2015
Although the reason for these roster moves is unfortunate, perhaps a personnel shakeup will give the stumbling Blue Jackets a much-needed jolt.
