Are reinforcements on the way?
The Blue Jackets head into the Four Nations break a battered and bloody team. This break is needed for a team trying to hold on desperately and make the playoffs.
Aside from Kirill Marchenko and Dante Fabbro going down on February 2nd against Dallas, there have been no new injuries to report.
However, We can report that GM Don Waddell commented earlier this week about getting two players back after the break. He didn't mention names, but he did say that both players have "played a lot of NHL games." The assumption is that those two players are Captain Boone Jenner and Dante Fabbro. Jenner was lost before the season to shoulder surgery, and Fabbro suffered a concussion after being bludgeoned by a Mason Marchment elbow to the face in the game against Dallas.
Yegor Chinakhov, who has a sore lower back, has been seen skating but his return is unknown. According to The Athletics Aaron Portzline, Chinakhov saw a specialist in New York and they said he doesn't need surgery. According to Don Waddell, “It’s all on him right now, when he feels like he can go." “He’s seen all the doctors he can see. Everything is good in that way, he just keeps feeling some tightness (when he skates).
According to a source, Kirill Marchenko is skating with his new bubble shield. The goal for him is to be back for the Stadium Series game on March 1st.
Sean Monahan has wrist surgery and is expected back in mid to late March.
Erik Gudbranson had shoulder surgery as well. He's also expected to attempt a return in mid to late March.
Injuries
- Boone Jenner (shoulder) is on Injured Reserve on Oct. 7; (56 Games)
- Erik Gudbranson (upper body) is on Injured Reserve on Oct. 16; (53 Games)
- Yegor Chinakhov (upper body) is on Injured Reserve (35 Games)
- Sean Monahan (upper body); is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Jan. 7 (15 Games)
- Kirill Marchenko (jaw); is on Injured Reserve on Feb. 3 (3 Games)
- Dante Fabbro (upper body) unknown return date (3 Games)
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 228
Things could be getting much better for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
What's Next: Zach Werenski will now take the ice for the United States in the Four Nations Face-Off, which kicks off this coming Thursday, as the U.S. takes on Finland. The rest of the Jackets will get some much-needed R&R before coming back home to play the Chicago Blackhawks on February 22nd.
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