Tortorella delivers edict upon Wennberg’s return

Alexander Wennberg returned to the Blue Jackets’ lineup Tuesday after sitting out six games because of an upper-body injury, and coach John Tortorella was clear about his expectations for the center.

“I want him to play the way he should play,” Tortorella said before the Jackets met the Carolina Hurricanes at Nationwide Arena. “If that requires a different approach, so be it. But he certainly has not played up to the standard he needs to play at.”

Tortorella expressed similar sentiments about Nick Foligno, who was moved from center back to wing because of Wennberg’s return.

“I don’t care what position Nick plays,” Tortorella said. “He needs to be better.”

“I’ll play wherever is needed,” Foligno said. “I don’t think it’s a matter of where you’re playing. It’s how you’re playing.”

Wennberg, who produced one goal and eight assists in the first 18 games, said he played “a couple of games” injured before choosing to sit out so he could get fully healthy.

“You have to make a decision what’s best for your hockey and for yourself, and it comes down to ‘get some time off,’ ” he said.

Tortorella said before Monday’s game in Montreal that Wennberg’s injury affected his play but noted that “part of the growing cycle for Wenny is if you’re nicked up, it doesn’t always have to affect your play. Sometimes you have to play through it.”

He said Wennberg needs to improve his “mental skills” and “mental toughness” and “learn to handle some situations when you’re not feeling perfect.”

Wennberg said Tuesday he wasn’t bothered by Tortorella’s remarks.

“The coach tells you you’ve got to find a way to play through injuries, and you’ve just got to make the best (of it) and do it,” he said.

Murray hurt

The Jackets’ lineup Tuesday featured several changes. Defenseman Ryan Murray was scratched because of an upper-body injury suffered at Montreal, so Scott Harrington played in just his third game this season.

The Jackets also brought back defenseman Gabriel Carlsson on an emergency recall while sending wing Markus Hannikainen to minor-league Cleveland. And backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo started for the first time in nine games.

With Wennberg back, Jordan Schroeder was a healthy scratch. Wennberg started the game centering Sonny Milano and Cam Atkinson, while Foligno was on the right wing alongside center Brandon Dubinsky and Boone Jenner.