Tortorella: Blue Jackets 'need the kids in the lineup'

For a second consecutive season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have struggled through injuries to a number of key players, and they now find themselves at the bottom of the league standings, nine points behind their nearest division opponent. That position now has their head coach looking to the future.

"Honestly, we need the kids in the lineup," head coach John Tortorella said, according to Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch. "I think that's very important with where we are at as an organization right now."

With former Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky now sidelined for over a month, the team has had extended looks at young goalies Anton Forsberg and Joonas Korpisalo.

Meanwhile, a pair of 21-year-olds will get extended opportunities to impress up front, as Kerby Rychel and Josh Anderson will fill spots vacated by Wednesday's Ryan Johansen trade, and captain Nick Foligno being placed on the injured reserve Saturday.

"Those are two guys that compete really hard," said linemate Brandon Dubinsky, who assisted on Anderson's first NHL goal Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes. "We've been excited about those guys for a few years now."

(Courtesy: NHL.com)

Losers of their last three contests, it appears the veterans will remain on thin ice as the season wears on, as Tortorella and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen continue to evaluate which players remain in their long-term plans.

"Quite honestly, I hope the kids take other people's jobs," Tortorella admitted. "That's how you become better as a team, when there is a push from your youth. I'm hoping some of these guys can stay and help us find our way."

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