COLUMBUS, Ohio - After snapping their seven-game losing streak in New Jersey on Friday, the Blue Jackets held a team meeting in lieu of a morning skate.
It was announced just prior to media availability that newly-acquired left wing Rene Bourque had been recalled on an emergency basis from the Springfield Falcons (AHL). Columbus bench boss Todd Richards said that Bourque would go into the lineup, but declined to mention which player would not play.
"We'll have to make that decision right around game-time," said Richards. "The intention is for him to go into the lineup. He's big, can skate, can shoot; he has a lot of the tools. Now, it's about giving him an opportunity to see what he can bring to our team."
Bourque, 33, will wear number 32 on his sweater against the Colorado Avalanche tonight. In 603 career NHL games, the Lac La Biche, Alberta native has recorded 144-142-286. In 43 games this season with both the Anaheim Ducks and Montreal Canadiens, he has two goals and eight assists for 10 points.
Richards did confirm that there are a couple of guys banged up, but did not elaborate as to which players were in that category. He also said that defenseman Kevin Connauton will not play. The young D-man did not have a setback, according to Richards. "No setback. It just gives him a couple of extra days."
On the second night of back-to-back games, Richards said that Curtis McElhinney will start between the pipes with Sergei Bobrovsky backing him up.
It's about the "here and now"
Blue Jackets versatile center Mark Letestu acknowledges that the team has some very good young players and prospects, but he knows the onus is on them to live up to their potential and the expectations of their play.
"It's still on those guys to get better," he said of Alex Wennberg and Marko Dano. "When you start looking at the future, kind of getting out of the now, maybe that's when you lose sight of who you are and your identity and winning games now.
"Yes, those guys are going to be good players for us. But I don't sit back and think 'wow' about how good we're going to be in a couple of years. I'd like them to be really good now. It's my time to win now."
Although the progression of Wennberg and Dano might not be as quick as some would like, there is no disputing the fact that both players have taken major strides in their development since last September.
Richards said Saturday that Wennberg has been the team's best, most consistent forward for the last month.
"Right now," Wennberg said, "I'm playing with a lot of confidence in my game. Right now I feel like I'm able to do my thing on the ice. I'm feeling good out there."
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Foligno / Johansen / Atkinson
Hartnell / Wennberg / Dano
Gibbons / Anisimov / Dubinsky
Tropp / Letestu / Boll
Defense: Johnson / Savard
Tyutin / Prout
Falk / Goloubef
Goal: McElihinney with Bobrovsky as backup
Scratches: Connauton, Clarkson, plus one other player to be replaced in lineup by debut of Rene Bourque
