Columbus Blue Jackets News Clips January 11-12, 2017 Columbus Blue Jackets PAGE 02: Columbus Dispatch: Hurricanes 5, Blue Jackets 3 | Bobrovsky's illness, errors sink Jackets with Forsberg in net PAGE 04: Columbus Dispatch: Atkinson sizes up as All-Star worthy PAGE 06: Columbus Dispatch: Jones, Bobrovsky are Jackets' All-Stars PAGE 08: NHL.com: Jordan Staal's goal gets Hurricanes past Blue Jackets PAGE 10: Columbus Dispatch: Battle is on for No. 2 goaltender spot PAGE 12: Sports Illustrated: Talking a Blue Streak: The tale of a starless Blue Jackets team that's atop the league Cleveland Monsters/Prospects PAGE 16: Columbus Dispatch: New Albany's Kole Sherwood has five-goal night NHL/Websites PAGE 17: Sportsnet.CA: Many fun possibilities in NHL’s All-Star 3-on-3 tournament PAGE 19: Sportsnet.CA: Waiver WATCH: Maple Leafs claim Curtis McElhinney PAGE 20: Sportsnet.CA: Down Goes Brown: Handing out NHL mid-season awards PAGE 24: TSN.CA: Jackets remain No. 1 in NHL Power Rankings PAGE 29: USA TODAY: Best and worst from first half of NHL season PAGE 31: Sportsnet.CA: NHL Power Rankings: Every Team’s MVP Edition PAGE 35: TSN.CA: Statistically Speaking: Boedker's surprise hat trick 1 http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2017/01/11/blue-jackets-game-story.html Hurricanes 5, Blue Jackets 3 | Bobrovsky's illness, errors sink Jackets with Forsberg in net By Tom Reed – January 11, 2017 RALEIGH, N.C. — The Blue Jackets unexpectedly lost two players, including their All-Star goaltender, to illness before a game Tuesday night at PNC Arena. And once the puck dropped, their performance was hardly a picture of health in a 5-3 setback to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Blue Jackets surrendered three goals in the second period, registered only one shot on four failed power-play chances and made several uncharacteristic mistakes in falling to 1-3-0 since their 16-game winning streak. Goaltender Anton Forsberg, who made his first start of the season after being recalled from minor- league Cleveland on Monday, allowed one bad goal in the second period and was critical of his rebound control. It would be unfair, however, to pin the loss squarely on his effort. The Blue Jackets (28-8-4) overextended some shifts and made a few mental errors that led to goals against. On the Hurricanes’ winner early in the third period, Brandon Saad flew the defensive zone as Jack Johnson’s clearing attempt along the wall went to Elias Lindholm at the right point. The forward’s shot was redirected by Jordan Staal at 3:50 of the final period. Carolina added an empty netter to improve to 12-1-1 in its last 14 home games. “I think we had a lot of turnovers in the neutral zone, which is what we are trying to eliminate from our game,” wing Josh Anderson said. “We’ve just got to get back to doing what we do best — get in on the forecheck a little more and things will start going our way.” The Jackets got goals from Cam Atkinson, Anderson and Saad, but could not generate many quality scoring chances in the third period despite 13 shots. They also played without third-line wing Matt Calvert, who got sick in pregame warmups. With the Jackets carrying the minimum 12 forwards, they dressed little-used defenseman Dalton Prout and played him up front for all of six shifts. Coach John Tortorella scrambled lines that had been the model of continuity for two months. The good news, the coach said, is Bobrovsky is feeling much better, but they are leaving Calvert in Raleigh as the rest of the team flies to Tampa. “We’ve got a few guys fighting it,” Tortorella said. “You get on that plane and it’s a bacteria machine.” Forsberg didn’t expect to make his first start until possibly this weekend when the Jackets play back-to- back games in Florida, but he woke up Tuesday morning to the news of Bobrovsky's illness. He finished with 23 saves. “It’s tough for him,” Tortorella said. “I thought he handled the position very well in just getting ready to play, but there were some struggles also and that’s to be expected. … That’s a tough one, coming up as a backup … and now all of a sudden he’s in net.” 2 Forsberg played a clean first period as the Blue Jackets jumped to a 1-0 lead on Atkinson’s 20th goal of the season. But Forsberg admitted to being a bit rattled in the second period as the Hurricanes scored three times. He allowed a routine slap shot from above the right circle to squeeze between his pads. Derek Ryan tapped the rebound into an empty net for a 2-1 lead for the Hurricanes. “It’s a great opportunity … but I have to play way better than this,” Forsberg said 3 http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2017/01/11/michael-arace-commentary--atkinson- sizes-up-as-all-star-worthy.html Atkinson sizes up as All-Star worthy By Michael Arace – January 11, 2017 The All-Star math was particularly tough on the Blue Jackets, who lead their division and have a raft of players in the midst of banner years. (I can’t believe I just wrote that sentence.) There are eight teams in the NHL's Metropolitan Division and each must be represented at the All-Star Weekend, which will be staged in Los Angeles Jan. 28 and 29. It is virtually impossible for any given team to get three players on an 11-man roster. The league announced Tuesday that coach John Tortorella, defenseman Seth Jones and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky will be representing Columbus in LA. Big ups, fellas. You have to feel for rookie Zach Werenski, who is among the league leaders in scoring among defenseman but didn’t make the cut. Then, there is Cam Atkinson, the 157th overall pick in the 2008 draft — who has been conjuring Martin St. Louis, Theo Fleury and others who have managed high scoring numbers despite a low center of gravity. It is a very short list. (I can’t believe I just wrote that last sentence.) Ray Ferraro, TSN analyst extraordinaire, has wonderful insight on everything hockey. He has a particular understanding of Atkinson (generously listed at 5 feet 8) and his kind. Ferraro was listed at 5-10 (cough, cough). They called him “Peewee” when he was a rookie. He amassed 898 points over an 18-year playing career and was among the top 100 scorers in league history when he retired in 2002. “This can’t be understated: Players like Cam have always been small, so as you progress and excel at different levels, you’re doing what you’ve always done,” Ferraro said in a telephone interview. “In fact, I don’t even think you know you’re doing it.” What is Cam doing without thinking? He is using a certain hockey sense he has developed over years of trying not to get killed. It’s a Darwinian thing. He is reading plays, likely much faster than average-size dudes. He is recognizing where the traffic is coming from, sorting out how to get in and out quickly, steering clear of collisions where possible. “When I played, if you had position on the boards, you just get cross-checked across the neck,” Ferraro said. “Now, you can get underneath guys. It’s an advantage with a lower center of gravity. It’s hard for guys to get underneath you — but you can get underneath them anytime you want.” Take a little man with his enhanced sensory reception, add quick feet, quick hands and sublime hand- eye coordination, and you have a player who can be responsible in every zone. Add a few years of experience, and you might just have an Atkinson. Notice how often he finds space in front of the net? See how quickly he plants the puck on the top shelf? Oh, by the way, did you see him take Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi off his feet the other night? That is an All-Star. 4 “Cam is a really good player when he stays on top of himself,” Tortorella said last week. “I think he can be even better.” Heading into Tuesday’s game at the Carolina Hurricanes, Atkinson had 19 goals and 39 points in 39 games. He was among the league’s top 10 in goals, points, shorthanded goals (two) and game-winning goals (four). He was tied for first, alongside Sidney Crosby, with nine power-play goals. “It’s like (Tortorella) said (about) not letting it get to me, right?” Atkinson said. “Staying on top of myself. Not on the bottom.” He has maintained his sense of humor. It’s a decent bet that at least one Metro forward will beg out of the All-Star Game (money on Crosby) and, if so, Atkinson will get the call. (I do believe I just wrote that sentence.) 5 http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2017/01/11/blue-jackets-notebook--jones- bobrovsky-are-jackets-all-stars.html Jones, Bobrovsky are Jackets' All-Stars By Tom Reed – January 11, 2017 RALEIGH, N.C. — The Blue Jackets’ career of Seth Jones began a year ago inside Raleigh’s PNC Arena. The defenseman celebrated another milestone here Tuesday as he was named to his first NHL All-Star Game. Jones and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky were selected to the midseason showcase set for Jan. 29 in Los Angeles.