The Columbus Blue Jackets received some much-needed good news on Saturday morning as they activated forward Patrik Laine off the injured reserve list. This means that Laine will be available to play in the team’s afternoon game against the Detroit Red Wings, marking his return to the lineup after a lengthy absence.
Laine, who is 25 years old, had been sidelined since October 20th when he absorbed a vicious high hit from Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson. The incident occurred as the final horn sounded in the Blue Jackets’ 3-1 victory over the Flames in Columbus. Andersson’s hit on Laine was deemed illegal and resulted in a four-game suspension from the NHL for charging.
The return of Patrik Laine is undoubtedly a welcome sight for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have struggled immensely in his absence. Over their past eight games, the team has only managed to secure one win, resulting in a disappointing 1-4-3 record. Laine’s offensive prowess and ability to contribute to the team’s scoring efforts will be a much-needed boost for the struggling Blue Jackets.
Patrik Laine has proven himself to be a highly skilled player throughout his NHL career. In just four games this season, he has already recorded two points, consisting of one goal and one assist. These statistics are consistent with his overall career performance, as Laine has amassed an impressive 381 points (199 goals, 182 assists) in 466 career games. Selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NHL draft by the Winnipeg Jets, Laine was acquired by the Blue Jackets on January 23, 2021, in a trade that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-round pick to the Jets.
In addition to Laine’s return, the Blue Jackets also made a roster move on Saturday by assigning defenseman David Jiricek to the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League. Jiricek, who is set to turn 20 this month, has recorded three points (one goal, two assists) in 10 games this season with the Blue Jackets. This decision suggests that the coaching staff is making strategic adjustments to the lineup in an effort to improve the team’s overall performance.
With the return of Patrik Laine, the Columbus Blue Jackets are hoping to turn their season around and find success once again. The team will rely on Laine’s offensive abilities to generate goals and assist in securing victories. The presence of such a talented player back in the lineup is sure to provide a much-needed morale boost for the team. As the Blue Jackets continue to face challenges and strive for consistency, the return of Laine offers a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.
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