Jackets may need Danforth at center going forward
Justin Danforth’s versatility could become more than a luxury for the Blue Jackets coming out of the NHL’S extended holiday break with back-to-back games Monday against Toronto and Tuesday in Chicago.
It might be a necessity, especially if Boone Jenner and Jack Roslovic aren’t cleared from the Nhl-mandated COVID-19 isolation period. Jenner and Roslovic, two of the Jackets’ top four centers, began quarantines last Sunday. Neither will reach the league’s 10-day isolation requirement until Wednesday unless one or both meet stringent conditions for an earlier exit.
So a team lacking proven depth down the middle could be down two of their main pivots against a pair of teams brimming with skilled centers. Danforth, a 28-year-old forward in his first NHL season, may be needed to center a bottom-six line.
“I’ve played center my whole life, so it’s not really a huge change for me,” said Danforth, who got his first taste of the middle in the NHL on Dec. 4 in Washington. “But at this level, it’s a big step.”
Danforth didn’t make the Blue Jackets’ roster to start the season but took advantage of multiple opportunities to impress since. He has two goals, two assists and four points in 12 games and has become one of the team’s top producers of scoring chances. He’s also done it primarily from the wing, utilizing high-end speed, skill and tenacity around the net.
Danforth’s resume includes a lot of time at center elsewhere, including three dominant seasons in Europe before signing with Columbus last spring, but chances to prove himself at the position in the NHL have been limited.
Danforth played just 10:10 during a 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals earlier this month, his debut at center, but assisted on the Jackets’ goal and won 5 of 7 faceoffs (72%). Danforth was also credited with three hits in that game and applied an up-tempo, gritty style that coach Brad Larsen refers to as a “dog on
a bone” mindset.
“I'm hungry to stay on the roster and stay in the lineup every night,” Danforth said. “I know what I have to do on the ice. It's going to be a tough night every night for me with the way I play. I have to be physical, I have to be a bit of a rat and get under guys' skin ... and if that keeps me in, that's good.”
Blue Jackets need winning streak soon
The arrival of the holiday season didn't bring much joy to the Blue Jackets.
They're 3-7-1 since Thanksgiving and have dropped to four points back of the Detroit Red Wings for the second wildcard in the Eastern Conference.
They haven't won consecutive games since a three-game winning streak Nov. 22-26 and have recorded points in consecutive games just once this month.
Blue Jackets to have world juniors presence
The top division of the International
Ice Hockey Federation's annual world junior championships begins Sunday in Edmonton and Red Deer in Alberta, Canada.
The tournament will feature at least two Blue Jackets prospects: forward Kent Johnson (Canada) and defenseman Samuel Knazko (Slovakia).
Johnson, selected fifth overall in July, has joined his Canadian teammates after
a bout with COVID-19. The University of Michigan sophomore winger could play a starring role for Canada, which is favored to win the gold medal. Knazko, drafted in the third round of the 2020 draft, will captain Slovakia in his third straight appearance at world juniors. bhedger@dispatch.com @Brianhedger