The Blue Jackets didn't hold a team practice today, but the newest member of the team skated in Columbus for the first time.
Of course, we're referring to Patrik Laine, the dynamic winger who the Blue Jackets hope will help them turn around an ailing power play, among other things. After completing a mandatory 48-hour quarantine as part of COVID-19 protocols, the Finnish dynamo skated today.
The Dispatch's Brian Hedger was first to report Laine being on the ice.
Told that Laine is skating this morning with Kevin Stenlund and skill development coaches Kenny McCudden and Jared Boll.
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) February 1, 2021
The taxi squad is not skating today.#CBJ
Laine is eligible to make his Blue Jackets debut whenever he is deemed ready by the coaching staff. He is currently day-to-day with an upper body injury. In the one game he played this season before suffering the injury, he had two goals (including the GWG in overtime), an assist, and three shots on goal.
"What I like the most, and I had a chance to play with him on the national teams, is he really cares for his team and really wants to win," Mikko Koivu told Jeff Svoboda. "I think that's the first thing you look for out of your teammates. That's really the first thing that pops into my mind is getting a person and a player that really cares for winning."
The Blue Jackets are 4-3-3 through ten games this season, and they are 3-1-1 since trading Pierre-Luc Dubois. Despite their decent start, they are 28th in the NHL in goals per game, at a paltry 2.3. Laine should make an immediate impact in that department.
It's unknown when Laine will make his debut. The Blue Jackets will host the Stars this week on Tuesday and Thursday, then the Hurricanes will come to town on Sunday. It's a safe bet that we'll see him play this week.
