• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Columbus Blue Jackets

Don’t Count Out Sonny Milano

By Mark Scheig November 3rd, 2018

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Once again, Sonny Milano finds himself heading to Cleveland.

On Saturday afternoon, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced that Milano was assigned to the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. The team had to make a move with center Brandon Dubinsky coming off of injured reserve and set to play in Los Angeles. The roster was at 24. Someone had to go. Milano was the easiest move to make.

Despite that, many fans of the Blue Jackets will not like this move. Milano was drafted in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft. We are quickly approaching 2019. Yet, he hasn’t been able to stick with the big club for a full season even though he scored 14 goals in 55 games in 2017-18.

Many are wondering what’s really going on here? Is there more to this that just a demotion? As far as I know, there really isn’t anything more to this story than that, a business decision.

Jarmo Kekäläinen

Jarmo Kekalainen and crew made a necessary business decision on Sonny Milano. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Resetting the Situation

Milano has played in eight games this season scoring one goal. He was replaced in the Blue Jackets lineup by Markus Hannikainen. Coach John Tortorella said that he wanted Hannikainen in the lineup due to the type of play they were looking for. They were seeking a more hard hitting, in your face kind of game to restore their identity.

Hannikainen has played well since his return. He looks faster and stronger and has given life to the fourth line. His play actually knocked Lukas Sedlak out of the lineup. With the return of Dubinsky, the fourth line in Los Angeles will be Hannikainen, Dubinsky and Riley Nash.

But back to Milano. The Blue Jackets only have only two waivers-exempt players on their roster. One is Pierre-Luc Dubois. He’s not going anywhere. The other is Milano. Considering he has been a healthy scratch, it was the obvious move to make. He needs to be playing. At least in Cleveland, he can get precious top-six time.

TRANSACTIONS: #CBJ have activated center @BDubi17 off Injured Reserve and assigned left wing @27SMiLano to @monstershockey.

RELEASE: https://t.co/L80V1xOlrg

— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) November 3, 2018

What Does the Future Hold for Milano?

This is the question that fans are dying to find out. What does this all mean now and down the road for Milano and the Blue Jackets?

Let’s address the first big thing. I do not believe that the Blue Jackets or Milano want a trade. In talking with Milano, Tortorella and management over the years, I think there’s an understanding by all parties as to what’s going on. Tortorella has said on numerous occasions that Milano must get stronger and must improve away from the puck. While that has improved, it hasn’t improved enough to carve out a roster spot.

In addition, having newcomers Anthony Duclair and Riley Nash come in didn’t help Milano’s cause. That’s two more spots taken that could have been filled by him.

As a result, the top-six (for now) is pretty set. The ideal situation for Milano is a top-six role utilizing his strengths. If he cracks the lineup now, it’s in a bottom-six role playing under 10 minutes a night. Now he can get into the Monsters lineup playing big minutes in all situations. For development purposes, this assignment was in his best interest.

Moving forward, he could be staring at a prime opportunity. We know the Artemi Panarin situation will be a story all season and beyond. If Panarin is out of Columbus, there’s a spot that Milano could potentially fill. Whether he gets there or not is ultimately on him but the chance is there.

Artemi Panarin Blue Jackets

Sonny Milano could have a future golden opportunity depending on what happens to Artemi Panarin. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

In Conclusion

Is it disappointing Milano hasn’t been able to stick? Yes. But circumstances dictated this. He is in the long-term plans of the Blue Jackets as of this moment. Trades and discussions could always come up later but for now, he’s a big part of this future.

It’s best to have Milano play games rather than sit. Now he’ll get that chance most likely Sunday afternoon in Cleveland when the Monsters play Grand Rapids.

Milano has handled this difficult situation about as well as anyone could ask for. It’s not fair but at least in public, he hasn’t shown it. He’s made his way back eventually every other time. I wouldn’t expect that to change this time either. He’s going to put in the work in an effort to be ready for his next call.

Don’t count Milano out. He’ll be back soon and better than ever.

 

  • Tags
  • Brandon Dubinsky
  • John Tortorella
  • Markus Hannikainen
  • Sonny Milano
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 19th 7:42 PM
Colorado Avalanche

Wild Acquire Ian Cole From Avalanche for Greg Pateryn

Jan 19th 6:05 PM
Calgary Flames

Flames Need to Be More Disciplined if They Want to Stay Hot

Jan 19th 5:50 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

9 Blue Jackets’ “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” Fun Facts

Jan 19th 5:40 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Babcock Bombs as Former Leafs Coach Tries to Clarify Marner Drama

Jan 19th 5:25 PM
Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights Are 3-0, But Still Have Plenty of Work To Do

Jan 19th 5:15 PM
New York Rangers

Rangers News & Rumors: Essential Workers Night, DeAngelo, Trouba & More

Jan 19th 5:05 PM
Calgary Flames

Flames Should Add Forward Oliver Okuliar to Prospect Pool

Jan 19th 4:55 PM
Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens: 3 Takeaways from Week 1

Jan 19th 4:45 PM
Hockey History

Top 3 Penguins Trades Under Jim Rutherford

Jan 19th 3:45 PM
St Louis Blues

Blues Weekly: Up and Down Start to the 2020-21 Campaign

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information