Columbus Blue Jackets News

Johnson left Columbus' previous game vs. Buffalo after just 6:26 TOI due to an upper-body injury and is now expected to miss some time after head coach Dean Evason stated "it's not short-term" in regards to his return. It is unfortunate news for the 22-year-old, who was showing signs of a true breakout campaign with two goals, five points and eight SOG in his first four games played.

Chinakhov is battling an undisclosed ailment but isn't expected to miss anytime, continuing his torrid start to the 2024-25 season. The 23-year-old Chinakhov is averaging 18:44 time-on-ice through four games this season, nearly four minutes more than last season, and has tallied six points (2G / 4A).

Hunt being recalled likely indicates that Jared Spurgeon (lower body) will not be ready to return to Minnesota's lineup on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 22-year-old Hunt has played one game with Minnesota this season, tallying 8:01 time-on-ice and two shots on goal.

Johnson suffered the injury after colliding with teammate James van Riemsdyk in the second period of Thursday's game and did not return. We should expect to receive an update on the injury prior to Columbus' game against the Wild on Saturday.

With Elvis Merzlikins being given some time to rest and regroup, the Blue Jackets will turn to Trasov between the pipes on Thursday for his second start of the young season. Tarasov was unspectacular in his first start, allowing four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%), but salvaged a 6-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. The Blue Jackets enter action on Thursday as +112 home underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres club that was defeated 6-5 in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins last night.

Merzlikins' injury is expected to be short-term. Daniil Tarasov will likely get the start on Thursday, with Jet Greaves coming up from Cleveland (AHL) to serve as his backup. Though two starts, Merzlikins is 0-2-0 with a 3.68 GAA and .854 SV%.

Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason stated that starting goalie Elvis Merzlikins needed a few days to rest and gather himself, resulting in the call-up of Greaves. The 23-year-old Greaves played nine games with the Blue Jackets last season (3-6-0), posting a 3.49 GAA and .908 SV%.

Gudbranson was forced to leave Tuesday's game vs. Florida early due to an upper-body injury and has been placed on IR on Wednesday. The 32-year-old stay-at-home defender had yet to pick up a point in any of his three appearances this season but had two PIMs and averaged 15:46 TOI/GP

Hunt's reassignment to the Iowa Wild (AHL) is likely a paper transaction unless Jared Spurgeon (lower body) is deemed ready to return to the lineup. The 22-year-old Hunt has played one game with Minnesota this season, tallying 8:01 time-on-ice and two shots on goal.

McCue will begin the season with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) after being activated from Injured Reserve. The 21-year-old McCue was a fifth-round pick of the San Jose Sharks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and is making his professional debut this season after tallying 61 points (27G / 34A) in 62 games with the London Knights (OHL) in 2023-24.

Hunt was the 65th overall pick of Minnesota in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old defenseman made his NHL debut last season, playing 12 games, but spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL, tallying 29 points (3G / 26A) in 51 games for the Iowa Wild.

Aston-Reese left Columbus' game vs. Colorado on Saturday after one shift and just 0:34 TOI due to an upper-body injury but is expected to return on Tuesday vs. Florida. The 29-year-old was claimed off of waivers a week ago from Vegas and is expected to be an everyday player in Columbus' lineup.

Jack Johnson will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Harris to mean his team debut for the Blue Jackets. The 24-year-old Harris spent his first three seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, scoring 32 points (8G / 24A) in 131 games.

The Blue Jackets have alternated netminder in their first two games but will turn back to Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers. In his previous two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10). That said, he played reasonably in his first outing this season, saving 23 of 26 shots (.885 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. Columbus enters action on Tuesday as a +134 home underdog.

Elvis Merzlikins started the Blue Jackets' season opener but Tarasov will start Saturday in Colorado. The Blue Jackets are massive underdogs (+275) tonight and Tarasov was a 4-5-2 with a 3.13 GAA and .902 SV% on the road last year. However, he was unbelievable in his only start against the Avalanche last year, stopping 45 of 46 shots in a win.

Hunt was the 65th overall pick of Minnesota in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old defenseman made his NHL debut last season, playing 12 games, but spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL, tallying 29 points (3G / 26A) in 51 games for the Iowa Wild.