Columbus Blue Jackets: Rookie Deployments

Chinkahov, Tarasov and Sillinger 26 Games Into The Season

Drafted in 2017, in the 3rd round by the Columbus Blue Jackets the goalie from Salavat Yuaelev got the call up to the AHL in 2020. He had 6 games played in with a .896 save percentage and while he went 4-2-0. Which is quite a difference from his KHL career with Salavat, which makes you think how well his game translates, as someone who had a .925 save percentage, 2.07 GAA, and 2 shutouts in the KHL which seems to be a consistent league for development, when you consider Kirill Kaprizov, Artemi Panarin and the star power it continues to create.

Daniil was recalled from Cleveland on December 2nd, to take on the Dallas Stars for his NHL debut. Daniil looked solid for taking on the Stars" best offensive threats, like Jason Robertson. Daniil gave up 3 goals on the 3rd, made 34 saves on 37 shots against in an emergency situation, where neither Merzlikins nor Korpisalo was available.

He had memorable saves against Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson later in the game. He has a solid record outside of the AHL and NHL ranks and will continue to develop. I wouldn"t be surprised after the trade deadline, we see him moved to back up if the Blue Jackets are dealers.

"His size jumps out at you right away, right?" Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said. “He’s a big man in the net. I said to (assistant Pascal Vincent), ‘Man, you don’t see a lot of net when he gets to the top of the blue.’ I thought he looked very calm and in control (in the game). He trusts his size."

 https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/2021/10/01/blue-jackets-daniil-tarasov-impresses-first-nhl-action/5944305001/

Brian Hedger

Cole “Goal" Sillinger

Cole Sillinger has turned out to be the Centerman, many people thought he was. He"s been an instrumental threat in games where he scored the game-winner against the Colorado Avalanche. Sillinger is the last-man-standing of the 2021 draft, whereas the rest have been sent back to develop, including William Eklund of the San Jose Sharks.

In 26 games, Cole has registered 10 points, with 5 goals and 5 assists.

As of right now, the talk is World Juniors and where Sillinger whether he will stay or go.

"The goal of everyone in world juniors is to play in the NHL, right?" said Sillinger. "So, if I’m playing a prominent role (here) and the Columbus staff sees me as an NHL player, full-time, and doesn’t loan me, I think that’s a compliment to me in a way."

https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/2021/12/09/blue-jackets-have-choice-make-sillinger-and-world-juniors/6445861001/

Cole Sillinger

Yegor Chinakhov

The last time we talked about Chinakhov I was high on his skills and ability to contribute to the offensive potential of the Columbus Blue Jackets forward core. Even Brad Larsen saw it, but the question is now is why is he a healthy scratch? Even as Larsen said he wouldn"t be!

"One thing I’ll say about (Chinakhov) is I think he’s plugged into what we’re doing," Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said. "He thinks the game really well. Everyone talks about his shot. His shot’s great. He’s got great legs. It’s more his details, and that’s what’s going to build trust and get him more ice time." 

Brad Larsen

Chinakhov scored his 1st NHL goal in Domi"s absence, against the Red Wings thanks to the amazing, but recently shuffled linemates of Sillinger and Voracek, who played the puck around two Red Wingers defenders of Hronek and Leddy. Chinakhov scored on a breakaway on, Thomas Greiss.

Chinakhov has been credited as a hard worker by Boone Jenner and it"s puzzling, after having him build great chemistry with Jakub and Cole to see him put in the press box.

In his place, Brad Larsen has chosen to give newcomers Danforth and Hofmann, significant TOI.

Chinakhov has remained in his current position, as he was drafted, a Right Winger but like his former linemate, Cole Sillinger he has cooled off a bit, which is to be expected with someone transitioning onto a new team. What is Larsen"s reason?

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