Early test for new Blue Jacket Riley Nash

After dropping the home opener to the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday, the Blue Jackets took a day off Saturday and set out Sunday to correct some things offensively. Towards the end of the practice, Brandon Dubinsky left the ice in some discomfort, and Monday's update was the opposite of good news.

A big storyline in the offseason was about the new Dubinsky, who had arguably the best offseason of his career and looked poised for a bounce-back year. CBJ head coach John Tortorella said Dubinsky's line with Josh Anderson and Boone Jenner was the best line for Columbus in the first two games.
So with Dubinsky out, will Tortorella split up Anderson and Jenner? For now, the answer is no. The answer, for the time being, will be offseason free agent signee Riley Nash. Nash was previously playing with Anthony Duclair and the two were seeing either Sonny Milano or Nick Foligno on the other wing.

For the first two games of the season, Nash's role was much different than it will be in Nationwide Arena on Tuesday. With Milano/Foligno and Ducliar, Nash was a facilitator for skill. This line was one of the fastest for Columbus and was expected to make things happen in the offensive zone with creativity and passing.
With Anderson and Jenner, however, the mentality is totally different. Nash's new linemates are about as direct as two NHL wingers get.
"I don't mind it. I like it to be honest," Nash said. "The style of play you can see in the first few games that they were playing. Just get pucks forward and letting them be hounds on the puck."

The Blue Jackets host the Colorado Avalanche Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. and can be seen on Fox Sports Ohio.