Injuries give trio chance to get off shuttle
PITTSBURGH — With three of his top forwards out for the foreseeable future, Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella is waiting to see their replacements make a difference.
Sonny Milano, Tyler Motte and Jordan Schroeder have been on the Cleveland Express this season, shuttling back and forth from the Blue Jackets to the minor-league Monsters. Tortorella wants to see all three stick it out with Brandon Dubinsky, Alexander Wennberg and Cam Atkinson out — but that is up to them.
“This is a great opportunity for those guys playing in Cleveland,” Tortorella said Wednesday before a game with the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
“They don’t like being sent down. They think they can play here; OK, now show us. They’re going to get that opportunity and for an extended period of time. … I have been looking for someone to take that spot on that fourth line. No one has stood up and said, ‘This is my spot.’ They’ll have a lot more opportunity to try and grab that.”
Milano, 21, spent the first few months with the Jackets after scoring four goals in the opening three games. December has seen Milano come and go three different times.
“Guys are missing and there’s more ice time for others. I have to make the most of it,” Milano said.
Said Nick Foligno: “Sometimes opportunities present themselves in weird ways, and (Milano) has a great chance to play some minutes, be a part of this and get his confidence going.”
Schroeder and Motte have seen more American Hockey League action this season than either would like, but it appears both will get extended minutes with the Blue Jackets. Both were recalled before Saturday’s game against Philadelphia only to be sent back after the game — then called up again Tuesday.
With neither the Jackets nor the Monsters playing during that time, they were merely paper (and financial) transactions.
Werenski not quite ready
Defenseman Zach Werenski (upper body) skated with teammates Wednesday but did not return to the lineup.
“He’s day-to-day,” Tortorella said.
Werenski missed his fourth consecutive game after getting hurt Dec. 18 at Boston.