Amid issues, Tortorella likes potential for depth
With the Blue Jackets 23 games into the regular season, coach John Tortorella describes his feelings on his squad as “half full.”
Sure, there are some worrisome things. Before scoring last night, Nick Foligno had only one point in his last 13 games. Center Alexander Wennberg is day-to-day with an unspecified injury. Some of the Blue Jackets’ other veterans expected to make a big impact on offense, such as Brandon Dubinsky, Cam Atkinson and Boone Jenner, haven’t produced like many thought they would.
But Tortorella’s optimism stems from some of the pleasant surprises that have kept this team near the top of the Eastern Conference, along with the stellar play of goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Forward Oliver Bjorkstrand, 22, is second on the team with 14 points. Defenseman Markus Nutivaara has nine points in 18 games. Pierre-Luc Dubois has recently emerged as the team’s top-line center.
Once the slumping veterans and those in the training room come back, Tortorella hopes those who have stepped up already will provide valuable depth.
“As we’ve always said, when another guy gets an opportunity, then your team usually becomes a better team if they improve when they get certain minutes they wouldn’t normally get when those other guys are healthy,” Tortorella said. “Then when the guys are back, then you have something.”
Savard playing strong
David Savard was a healthy scratch last Friday against the New York Rangers, which allowed for the veteran defenseman to re-set his game.
Tortorella has liked Savard’s response since he rejoined the lineup.
“He has played better,” Tortorella said. “We want him to play quick. We want him to make outlet passes. We felt like he was turning the puck over too much. We felt the speed was catching up to him a little bit.”
Savard played alongside his usual partner, Jack Johnson, on Friday against the Senators.
Managing Werenski
When it comes to 20-year-old defenseman Zach Werenski, Tortorella is careful not to inhibit his playmaking ability.
“There are no restrictions on his game,” Tortorella said. “We let him know he’s not a defenseman, he’s no longer called a defenseman. I want him to go. … There are certain situations that he still has to learn and maybe needs to slow down.
“I think there are situations that he might need to pull back, but you don’t want to overcoach that. Because I don’t want hesitant. Just go.”