Just a few shifts into his 2022-23 season, Patrik Laine took a weird hit that resulted in an elbow sprain.
The injury will keep him sidelined until early November; a return for the pair of games in Laine's native of Tampere, Finland is a clear goal. Those games, against the Colorado Avalanche, are November 4th and 5th.
In the mean time, Laine's absence will provide the Blue Jackets something that they didn't necessarily want — but something they can benefit from.
Yet another opportunity for young talent to break through.
Justin Danforth and Gus Nyquist were put into Laine's slot in the two games since the injury, but as two of the older players on the team (Danforth will be 30 before the season ends), those changes are more of an immediate fix — not a glimpse of the future.
While it remains to be seen who will get the next opportunity (if anyone at all), Laine's injury means more than just a spot open on the top line.
It also means a key spot on the power play unit is available.
Monday's practice may have provided a glimpse of that. While no rookies (or second-year players) were on the new top line, the second power play unit was an intriguing one.
Both Kent Johnson and Yegor Chinakhov were on the ice, joined by Danforth and Jake Voracek up front. Jake Bean was at the point.
Putting a playmaker like Voracek on the ice with Johnson (11 career games) and Chinakhov (65 career games) gives the two youngsters the chance to be on the man advantage with a proven weapon on the power play.
#CBJ power play units at practice:
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 17, 2022
PP1:
Point: Werenski
LW: Gaudreau
RW: Roslovic
Bumper: Nyquist
Net front: Jenner
PP2:
Point: Bean
LW: Johnson
RW: Chinakov
Bumper: Danforth
Net front: Voracek
"We're gonna try some new stuff until it works," associate head coach Pascal Vincent said after practice.
If Johnson and Chinakhov can click, the Blue Jackets may be onto something even once Laine returns to the lineup. However, those two won't be their only options.
Kirill Marchenko, who is off to a sensational start in Cleveland, can't be too far away from his NHL debut. He's adjusted well to the North American rink and style, and his strong shot is one of the best parts of his game. Seeing Marchenko rip it from the dot, a la Alex Ovechkin, is something that we should see sooner rather than later.
Cole Sillinger, who saw time on the power play in his rookie season last year, has also been on the PP unit in the first three games of this season. An expanded role while Laine is out seems plausible, though Sillinger was not featured on either unit at Monday's practice.
Losing a talent like Laine — especially on the power play — can't be made up. But it doesn't have to be. The Blue Jackets do have expectations this season that they didn't have last season, but it's no secret that this is a team that is still developing their top talent.
Making the most of a bad situation is about all they can do, and watching the power play over the rest of October could be one sign that things are going in the right (or wrong) direction.
