Boone Jenner And Yegor Chinakhov Facing Unfair Criticism
The Blue Jackets are struggling big-time.
In the last 10 games, they're 2-7-1, have been shut out four times, and are averaging just 2.10 goals per game. If you take out the game where they scored seven goals, they're averaging just 1.55 goals per game. This isn't pretty.
Fans and media have been left asking "What happened to this team?"
Many fans on social media are pointing the finger at the return of Captain Boone Jenner, and young Russian Yegor Chinakhov from injury. Jenner returned on Feb.22, and Chinakhov made his return on Mar. 4.
Pointing the finger at either player is simply unwarranted and unfair.
Since Boone Jenner returned, he's played in 13 games. In those 13 games, he has a goal and 9 assists. Jenner had points in his first four games back, and 6 of 8. When he returned, he started on the wing, but due to an untimely injury to Cole Sillinger, he had to be moved back to center. In that game, he had 3 assists and was a plus-3.
He's averaging 17:37 time on ice, which is right at his career average. The 17:37 this year is his lowest since the 20-21 season, which isn't a bad thing. He's also winning 52.8% of his faceoffs and has 32 shots on goal.
Yegor Chinakhov has been a different story. he's played in eight games, has one assist, is a minus-9, and has 13 shots on goal. He was scratched in the game against Vegas.
It's important to note that Chinakhov missed 39 games due to a lower back injury. Many have said that maybe he should've taken a conditioning assignment in Cleveland. As of now, we're unsure if he was offered that opportunity or not. It is up to him whether or not that is to happen, and is his right to refuse if he chooses.
Before his injury, Chinakhov has 14 points in 21 games.
This is definitely the tale of two different players who missed significant time.
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But is the criticism fair to either player? In my opinion, no it's not.
Fans on social media have used the word "chemistry" a lot when describing these two player's returns. Many have thought that the two returning broke up the chemistry of a team that had been playing really well. Allow me to remind you that the CBJ won four straight games after Jenner's return. So we can debunk Jenner's return breaking up any chemistry.
One could point out, that losing Cole Sillinger was a bigger situation than bringing back Jenner or Chinakhov. Ironically enough, since he went down, the Jackets are 2-7-1.
Mikael Pyyhtiä, Joseph LaBate, and Luca Del Bel Belluz were all sent to Cleveland for various reasons, whether it be players returning from injury or bringing in players at the trade deadline.
GM Don Waddell brought in Luke Kunin and Christian Fischer at the trade deadline to help the bottom six. Many criticize Waddell for this saying he should've just kept the entire team together, which includes the players he returned to Cleveland.
Losing Sean Monahan on January 7th was the biggest loss for this team and could be looked back at as the point where the season started to take a downturn. Yes, they won some games, but the power play completely fell apart, and teams like the Jackets who are very good at scoring 5-on-5, will eventually need to score power-play goals to win games and make the playoffs.
So, to point the finger at Boone Jenner and Yegor Chinakhov for simply coming back into the lineup is completely unfair. Boone Jenner was around this team even when he was hurt. Going to practices, being in the locker room, going to the games, he was there. So it's not like he just disappeared for five months and then just showed up to play on February 22nd.
Some people have suggested trading Boone Jenner over this Blue Jackets slump which is absolute nonsense.
What's Next: The Blue Jackets travel to Long Island on Monday to play the Islanders.
Let us know what you think below.
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