Jackets goalies roughed up in scrimmages
The numbers are alarming. During the Blue Jackets’ training camp that concluded Friday at OhioHealth Ice Haus, a total of 37 goals were scored against goaltenders Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins in five scrimmages.
Korpisalo was tagged for 21 goals (an average of 4.2 per game), and Merzlikins yielded 16, including 11 on Friday, for a 3.2 average.
Such numbers have to be disconcerting for a defensive team like the Jackets, especially with the high-powered Toronto Maple Leafs on tap in the opening round of the upcoming playoffs.
But they don’t seem all that worried. They know defenders don’t block shots or accost puck-carriers in scrimmages the way they would during an actual game — especially playoff games — so it’s premature to make any sweeping assessments.
“Obviously, there’s no guys going headfirst blocking shots, so it’s a little bit different,” Korpisalo said Friday, after his team won the final scrimmage of training camp by a score of 11-5. “There’s a little more back-door type of stuff, and it makes you read the game a lot. … Obviously, you don’t want to let in too many goals, but (the point) is just to progress so that you’re ready for” the playoffs.
That’s the main concern, of course. Are Korpisalo and Merzlikins, neither of whom owns a single minute of playoff experience in the NHL, ready to start the postseason? Are any goalies in the entire 24-team field really ready?
Goalies are much more vulnerable than skaters to long periods of inactivity, and the vast majority had at least three months off after the NHL paused the regular season on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic. That’s a long time to go without seeing actual shots taken by NHL players.
Are Korpisalo and Merzlikins among a small group of goalies who struggled to stop pucks during camps, or are they just two of a much larger pool?
We’re about to find out now that teams are settling into their respective hub cities for a final week of tuneup work before the playoffs begin Saturday.
“It’s a little bit different because normally you’d practice for three months before the training camp even starts,” Korpisalo said. “It’s a little bit different situation, but everyone is in the same spot.”
Dress code
Life inside the NHL “bubbles” in Toronto and Edmonton will be a little simpler for players, who will not be required wear a suit and tie to games.
The league’s collective bargaining agreement requires players to wear formal attire for games unless directed to do otherwise by the coach or general manager, but that rule was tossed aside in the NHL’S return-to-play agreement with the players union.
That means a more relaxed look is likely in store for all teams in these playoffs, including the Blue Jackets.
“We’re getting some ‘CBJ’ polo shirts for games,” forward Cam Atkinson said. “I’m going to bring a lot of shorts for the off days and probably wear slacks or some sort of nice pants on game days, with the tucked-in shirt, a ‘CBJ’ polo shirt.”
Macho man
The NHL’S pandemic pause was enjoyable for defenseman Markus Nutivaara, who headed back to northern Finland after the season stopped.
During the break, he bought a house and watched his young standardbred horse, named “Too Macho For You,” compete in three races.
“They’ve been pretty good, and the horse has set (individual records) since the first race, so every race is getting better,” said Nutivaara, who is trying to win his own race for a lineup spot among a deep pool of Blue Jackets blueliners. “It’s still small races, so it’s fun to watch how he develops.” bhedger@dispatch.com @Brianhedger
“This is new. It is. And you talk about it, you can listen to the (league’s) Zoom meetings, and I think the league’s done a terrific job at giving us all the information. OK, thank you. We have to experience it now. And I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
Tortorella brought only the bare necessities, regardless of his wish to make it a long stay. The “bubble” experience essentially becomes the longest road trip of his lengthy coaching career, but that didn’t change his outlook on packing.
“I don’t care, I’m packing light,” he said before leaving. “No matter how far we go or how long a trip we have, I don’t bring much stuff. And nothing can prepare (you) for what we’re going to experience (there).
“This is new. It is. And you talk about it, you can listen to the (league’s) Zoom meetings, and I think the league’s done a terrific job at giving us all the information. OK, thank you. We have to experience it now. And I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
His players felt the same, aside from a fairly significant issue for Foligno. His wife, Janelle, usually helps him pack for trips, but she and their three young children stayed in Sudbury, Ontario, rather than return to Columbus with him for training camp.
“Usually she helps me and says, ‘You look stupid in that, don’t wear that,’” Foligno said. “The young guys are more worried about what video games they’re bringing and stuff like that, where I’m more worried about what clothes I’m going to have.”
There are other important decisions to make, like how many of each item to bring and, gulp, how to wash them.
“That’s the hardest part,” Foligno said. “How many underwear are enough? How many socks are enough? How (much) everything is enough? We’re just hoping there’s laundry that we’re able to use somewhere. Otherwise, it’s going to get pretty gross.” bhedger@dispatch.com @Brianhedger