Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones didn't fulfill his invite to the recent All-Star Game due to illness, but he's poised to suit up Tuesday against the Wild in both teams' first game back since the break – an inclusion in the Columbus lineup that puzzles coach Bruce Boudreau.
"I think it's ridiculous," Boudreau said. "It's wrong, and I don't know how it can be justified. The rule states that if you miss the All-Star Game no matter what the reason that you miss the next game or you miss the previous game. He played the previous game; he should be missing this game. It's cut and dry to me."
Jones played in the Blue Jackets' final game before the break last Thursday against the Coyotes. On Friday, it was announced that teammate Zach Werenski would take Jones' spot at the All-Star Game because Jones was ill.
Typically, missing the All-Star Game results in a one-game suspension. In 2016, Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews had to sit out his team's first game back after he skipped the All-Star Game because of illness.
But Jones is an exception, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly explained in an email Tuesday, because the NHL asked him not to attend to avoid the risk of a flu outbreak.
"I don't understand it," Boudreau said. "Now to me there's a grey area in this rule forever and ever."
Projected lineup:
Jason Zucker-Mikko Koivu-Mikael Granlund
