There will always be NHL players who sit for a game here or there. But the logic of “the healthy scratch” can sometimes confound observers and invite speculation.
As the Blue Jackets prepare to face the Calgary Flames tonight, John Tortorella gave the assembled media some insight into his thought process on sitting players as he addressed the recent healthy scratch of veteran Scott Hartnell (his second scratch this season), and the return of Fedor Tyutin (who returns from a three game absence).
“I don’t make the decisions on that, (the players) do, with their play,” Tortorella said.
Hartnell is currently tied for points leader on the Jackets (15-16-31), and had earned a point in 11 of the 14 games following his other healthy scratch (Dec 4), but had just one assist in his last five games and eight PIMs.
Cam Atkinson said that can be frustrating for a player.
“When you don’t get a lot of points or contribute in that way you start gripping the stick a little tighter,” Atkinson said. “You start taking dumb penalties.”
Tortorella considers Hartnell to be one his most consistent forwards in his tenure with the Jackets and he knows he brings a lot to the club but he said he needed the “sloppiness” to come out of the left wing’s game.
“I don’t want a different Scott Hartnell,” Tortorella said. “He’s a really good player. I’m not looking for a different one, (rather one) that is disciplined right on through, being himself. I think he needs his personality. I’ve stressed for him to be his own person because he’s a throwback. That personality we need within our team.
“It’s when the sloppiness comes into play he’s got to reel himself in, if he doesn’t I will.”
On the other side of the red line, Fedor Tyutin returns to the line up after Tortorella expressed concern over “playing too slow.”
Justin Falk is a scratch tonight against the Flames. His turnover in the Jackets zone led to the Capital’s second goal Tuesday night, and his double minor for high sticking resulted in two power play goals for Washington, putting the score at 4-1 and the game effectively out of reach, according to Tortorella.
But Falk’s seat assignment in the pressbox is not a punitive act for those specific actions. Tortorella said there are three “solid” defensemen to him: Seth Jones, Ryan Murray and Jack Johnson. He wants to see the other defenders on the roster fight to claim one of the remaining three spots.
What does he want to see?
“Consistency, play with speed, play quick, and just a solid play away from the puck,” Tortorella said. “We want offense out of our back end, but when we’re in the situation where we are now with (positions) 3-6, I just want us being solid and consistent with that solid play. It hasn’t been there and that’s why we keep going back and forth there with the players in those positions.”
QUICKLY:
- Today marks the beginning of the Jackets’ “Dad’s Weekend.” The dad’s will take to the ice today for a charity game against local first responders. Players had to sponsor their dads and the proceeds will go to local charities. “The players ponied up – we should be ponying up,” Atkinson said. “(First responders) put their lives at risk every day for us to live our lives so it’s a good thing to give back to them.”
- Tortorella called the weekend “one of the greatest perks of our job,” and spoke about the opportunity to share the NHL experience with family. The fathers will be in town for tonight’s game and travel with the team for Saturday’s game versus Boston. “It is terrific for them just to see them in there, having breakfast with the boys, and travel with us for a couple games. I think it’s fantastic,” Tortorella said.
- Captain Nick Foligno is now considered day-to-day but did skate briefly in the OhioHealth Ice Haus separate from the club.
- Sergei Bobrovsky returns to the starter’s net.
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