With the Columbus Blue Jackets beginning their season tonight, the team is looking to the development of their young players, including Adam Fantilli, for their franchise to take another step.
Unfortunately, their season might begin on the wrong foot - in a way that is far too familiar. Zach Werenski the best defenceman on the Jackets, was forced to leave the season opener early after taking a dirty check from Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway.
Werenski was taken out by a knee-on-knee collision from Hathaway, and after several moments of discomfort on the ice, Werenski was helped off the ice by his teammates. Seemingly unable to put much weight on his right leg, Werenski looks like he could be out for significant time. It looks like it could be brutal news for the Jackets and Werenski, who after missing 69 games to injury last season, could not remain in the lineup this year.
Hathaway could be seen personally apologizing to Werenski as he was being helped off the ice, and thankfully for the Flyers, Hathaway was able to remain in the game. After and officials review of the play, a five-minute major penalty was reduced to a two-minute minor for kneeing.
