Columbus Blue Jackets News

Hunter McKown is expected to make his NHL debut Friday vs. the New York Islanders.

McKown had 21 goals, seven assists, 30 PIMs and a -19 plus/minus through 38 games with Colorado College (NCAA) and will make his NHL debut Friday. The 20-year-old was an undrafted free agent who signed last week to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Hunter McKown
Elvis Merzlikins has returned to the Columbus Blue Jackets after taking a personal leave in Latvia.

Merlikins had been having a historically bad season, with his 7-17-2 record, 4.10 GAA and .880 SV% and had left the Blue Jackets' to return to Latvia for personal reasons. The 28-year-old returned Wednesday resulting in Daniil Tarasov returning to Cleveland (AHL).

Elvis Merzlikins
Hunter McKown has been signed to a three-year, entry-level contract and is expected to join the team this week.

McKown had 21 goals, seven assists, 30 PIMs and a -19 plus/minus through 38 games with Colorado College (NCAA) and has been signed to a three-year, entry-level contract and is expected to join the team this week. The 20-year-old was an undrafted free agent.

Hunter McKown
Merzlikins will start Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

Merzlkins allowed four goals on 23 shots (.826 SV%) for his fifth loss in six starts as he was defeated by the Ottawa Senators last game. Merzlikins has been historically bad this season, with his 7-17-2 record, 4.15 GAA and .879 SV%. He takes on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who just snapped a four-game winning streak with a 4-1 loss to Florida last game.

Elvis Merzlikins
Dante Fabbro has signed a one-year, $2.5 million extension with the Nashville Predators.

Fabbro has a goal, seven assists, 70 SOG, 36 PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 56 games played and has signed a one-year, $2.5 million extension with Nashville. The 24-year-old has 12 goals, 56 points and 121 PIMs through 230 career NHL games across five seasons.

Dante Fabbro
Merzlikins will start Friday vs. the Kraken.

Merzlikins stopped 38 of 41 shots (.927 SV%) to snap a three-game losing streak as he beat Buffalo in his previous start. The 28-year-old has been historically bad this season, with his .879 SV%, 4.10 GAA and 7-15-2 record. He will face the Seattle Kraken, who have won their last two games and are sixth in the NHL in goals per game (3.49).

Elvis Merzlikins
The Blue Jackets have acquired Jon Gillies from the Coyotes for Jakub Voracek and a 2023 6th Round Pick.

Gillies has a 5-8-2 record, .878 SV% and 3.70 GAA with the Tuscan Roadrunners (AHL) but has been traded from the Coyotes for Jakub Voracek and a 2023 6th Round Pick. The 29-year-old has played in 32 career NHL games across four seasons, holding a 7-15-3 record, 3.31 GAA and .893 SV%.

Jon Gillies
Elvis Merzlikins will start Tuesday vs. Buffalo.

Merzlikins allowed three goals on 44 shots (.932 SV%) for his third straight loss as he was defeated by Minnesota in his previous start. The 28-year-old has had a horrendous 2022-23 campaign, with his 6-15-2 record, 4.14 GAA and .876 SV%. He will face the Buffalo Sabres, who have won five of their last six games and are 2nd in the NHL in goals per game (3.78).

Elvis Merzlikins
Elvis Merzlikins is the likely starter Tuesday vs. Buffalo.

Merzlikins allowed three goals on 44 shots (.932 SV%) for his third straight loss as he was defeated by Minnesota in his previous start. The 28-year-old has had a horrendous 2022-23 campaign, with his 6-15-2 record, 4.14 GAA and .876 SV%. He will face the Buffalo Sabres, who have won five of their last six games and are 2nd in the NHL in goals per game (3.78).

Elvis Merzlikins
Gaudreau (lower-body) is expected to be back in the Blue Jackets lineup on Thursday.

Gaudreau missed the Blue Jackets' previous two games with a lower-body injury but is expected to return to Columbus' lineup Thursday vs. Minnesota. The 29-year-old has 15 goals, 52 points, 144 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -16 plus/minus through 55 games played prior to the injury.

Johnny Gaudreau