Gagner’s play may keep him at center
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Sam Gagner returned to his natural position of center by necessity. The Blue Jackets veteran might remain there, however, based on his coach’s preference.
John Tortorella said Saturday that Gagner’s offensive resurgence since moving to center Feb. 19 and his connection with new linemate Oliver Bjorkstrand could make for a tough decision as the Blue Jackets get healthy up front. The biggest question would be what to do with Lukas Sedlak, who had been playing well and centering a line with Gagner and Scott Hartnell.
Sedlak has missed the past 10 games with an oblique strain, but could return to practice this week.
“I have thought about that,” Tortorella said. “I have to sit down and see where the health of the team is. The thing that’s in my mind is I think (Gagner) and Bjorkstrand have a little chemistry ... I have to work through that when the time comes and hopefully make the right decision.”
Gagner contributed two more primary assists Saturday in a 5-3 loss in Buffalo, including a nifty setup on Bjorkstrand’s first-period goal. He’s registered three goals and six assists over the past nine games, and the line he’s centering with Bjorkstrand and Hartnell has been one of the team's best in recent weeks.
Not long ago, Gagner was mired in a 30-game goal drought after scoring 14 in his first 31 games. It’s all been a part of a strange and, at times, highly productive season for the 27-year-old. He opened the campaign at center, but was quickly shuttled to the wing, where he clicked with Sedlak and Hartnell and excelled on the power play.
There’s little question the Blue Jackets are more formidable when Gagner is producing — and right now that’s at center.
“I feel comfortable there,” he said. “I feel like I’m doing the job on both sides of the puck. I think wherever you are slotted in the lineup, you need to find a way to be of value to the team.”
Gagner broke his goalless streak in Ottawa on March 4, and has scored three times in the past five games.
“I felt I had played some pretty good hockey leading up to that, and sometimes it’s just a matter of putting that one in the net that helps you relax,” said Gagner, who has 17 goals and 26 assists, approaching career highs in both categories.
The Blue Jackets expect to get forwards Sedlak, Matt Calvert (oblique strain) and Josh Anderson (knee) back in the next week or two. Sedlak is strong, defensively reliable and an emerging penalty killer who can win faceoffs. Would Tortorella consider shifting him to wing or keep him at center?
As the playoffs approach, the coach has a few difficult choices to make.