Blue Jacket News & Rumors: Chinakhov, Fischer, Injury Updates and More – Hockey Writer – Columbus Blue Jacket

Welcome back to Blue Jacket News and Rumors. It’s been a minute. With the confrontation between 4 countries, the Stadium Series and the NHL trade deadline, we are all turning to the intense playoff game.

For the Blue Jackets, they entered the game with a 70-point mark at the second wildcard position of the Eastern Conference on Thursday. They’d better not look back. Within two of the four teams, including Montreal, only had the last playoff spot.

No one has to tell the Blue Jackets how big their game against the Vegas Golden Knights is. The game they had on hand was behind them. Victories may make some much-needed separation between them and the competition.

Today, we start talking about a balanced behavior coach Dean Evason who has something to do with his roster.

Chinakhov Scratch

When they received waivers from the Detroit Red Wings and Luke Kunin in their deal with the San Jose Sharks, the Blue Jackets added their ranks within the trade deadline. Finding their place in the roster is one of Eveson’s challenges.

But wait, there are more. Yvesson also had to include Yegor Chinakhov in the injured roster. He was like someone who had been on the ice for a while.

Chinakhov is expected to take some time to develop rapidly. However, with so much meaning in the game, the blue jacket needs to try to find a viable bottom six set without waiting for the player to catch up.

Evason confirmed that chinakhov would be a healthy scratch. This is the coach for the decision.

“I had a great conversation with (Chinakhov) this morning, and he hasn’t played for months, right? It’s hard when the player sits down and doesn’t think it’s negative. Of course, we want them to be angry because they’re not playing. But you have to use it in the right direction. He promises to do it. We’re in a place where we have some healthy bodies now. So we have to sit some people. We want them to be one, not destroy the team. Second, when you’re asked to be on the lineup, prepare for the game. () Same as every player sitting. He’ll watch something we think he needs to do to help us win the hockey game, and he’ll be committed to that. When he gets back there, he’ll do that.”

“It’s like everybody is moving, he hasn’t played for a while. He doesn’t necessarily know in the game that we need to play. It’s part of teaching. He has a few games. He’ll have some video conferences and then practice. And I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next game, but when he gets back there, he’ll work the right way.”

The best part is that the Chinese play a role with speed and confidence. He has been missing several games since his injury. He will be seen as an important part of the blue jacket hopes to do in the next few weeks. That’s trying to get into the playoffs.

Fischer’s debut

When a player like Chinakhov is scratched, it means a chance for others. Others are Fischer. Evason confirmed that he will debut in Blue Jackets Thursday night.

For Evason, he thought Fischer was suitable for what they were trying to do.

“We just believe he’s acting like we’ve played,” Evesson said. “He’s trying to play the game, play the inside, finish the check, the right teammate. That’s what we’re asking. We ask everyone to play the same way. The right way, how do we play and give us a chance to win.”

Fischer is honest with your face style. That’s how the blue jackets in his alley love to play, he said. That’s what he expected on the ice.

“I love playing both sides of the hockey. I really try to defend well. I think that’s the biggest thing about the bottom six of the biggest character player. You have to win the little fight. I think there are a lot of little things in the game, the board plays, and finishing the puck on the blue line. Nothing is too flashy. Don’t expect too much highlighting the reel goal, but I play the game the right way.”

Christian Fischer will make his #cbj Tonight’s debut in V. @GoldenKnights. He will play with Sean Kuraly and Zach Aston-Reese. pic.twitter.com/zcybxvuinx

– Dave Maetzold (@dmaetzmedia) March 13, 2025

Fischer will play in the fourth line with Sean Kuraly at center and Zach Aston-Reese on the left.

Side dishes

• Erik Gudbranson is the closest to the return of the injured, Yvesson said. He took part in the morning skateboard Thursday. Once he thinks he’s ready, we’ll see him in the roster.
• Sean Monahan and Cole Sillinger skated on the ice Thursday. Monahan is still a few weeks away, and Sillinger is more likely sometime in early April. It’s a good sign to see each of them skating.
• Both Jake Christiansen and Kent Johnson caught up with their trip to the NHL office in New York. Everyone had a great time meeting with Commissioner Gary Bettman. Christianson said he had no pressing questions about the commissioner. As for Johnson, he thought the league was closely related to Bateman’s helm. “His answer was so dialed. We even thought it was almost ridiculous that we should have an opinion. But it was really good.”
• Johnson believes that the struggle power game is very close. That’s what he said: “I think we’re right there. It could happen tonight. I think the good thing is that we’re all just staying together, chatting in the room, trying to figure it out. I don’t think anyone pointed at each other’s fingers, I think it’s huge because I think it’s going to be derailed. I feel like we have a good psychological space in the game. I feel confident, so I think we can do it.”