Columbus Blue Jackets News

Greaves has been heavily relied upon by the Blue Jackets in recent weeks as the team has seemingly lost trust in Elvis Merzlikins, and he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. The 24-year-old Greaves allowed five goals on 43 shots (.884 SV%) in Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, a low point in a four-week stretch where he had not allowed more than three goals in 11 straight games (5-6-0). The Blue Jackets enter the action on Tuesday as -127 road favorites against a Sharks team whose three-game winning streak was snapped on Saturday in a 7-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Pittsburgh recently acquired Zamula in a trade, but he failed to report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), leading to the team placing him on waivers and terminating his contract. He has since since a one-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 25-year-old defenseman averaged 14:02 time-on-ice and recorded one assist in 13 games with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Monahan has not played in over a week, but could return to action on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. The 31-year-old Monahan had a tremendous 2024-25 season, scoring 57 points (19G / 38A) in 54 games, but has not been able to replicate that production in 2025-26, with only 19 points (5G / 14A) through 37 games.

Pittsburgh recently acquired Zamula in a trade, but he failed to report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) and has since been placed on waivers with the intention of terminating his contract. The 25-year-old defenseman averaged 14:02 time-on-ice and recorded one assist in 13 games with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Columbus acquired Heinen off of waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins last week and reported to the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 30-year-old NHL veteran of 579 career games has spent most of the season in the AHL, where he has 18 points (6G / 12A) in 13 games.

Werenski has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on December 20th, but will likely return from a two-week absence on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 28-year-old Werenski is having another outstanding season from the Blue Jackets' blueline, leading his team with 40 points (14G / 26A) through 35 games.

Smith has been a regular for the Blue Jackets since making his debut several weeks ago, but did not play on Wednesday due to a lower-body injury and is expected to sidelined for an extended period. The 36-year-old defenseman is averaging 11:05 time-on-ice and has two assists in 15 games.

Zamula had been in and out of the lineup for the Flyers all season and he will hope to find more stability on the blueline with the Penguins. The 25-year-old defenseman averaged 14:02 time-on-ice and recorded one assist in 13 games with the Flyers.

The Blue Jackets have repeatedly shown their lack of trust towards Elvis Merzlikins in recent weeks, and will do so again on Wednesday, turning to Greaves for the seventh time in the last eight games. The 24-year-old Greaves has been excellent lately, posting a 1.34 GAA and .949 SV% in his last three games (3-0-0). He has a 2.60 GAA and .909 SV% in 25 games this season (11-9-5). The Blue Jackets enter Wednesday's contest as -123 home favorites against a struggling New Jersey Devils team that was defeated 4-0 by the Toronto Maple Leafs yesterday.

Brendan Smith (lower body) will not play on Wednesday, allowing Mayo to enter the lineup. Mayo played one game with the Blue Jackets earlier this season, but has spent most of the season in the AHL, where he has seven points (2G / 5A) in 19 games with the Cleveland Monsters.

Smith has been a regular for the Blue Jackets since making his debut several weeks ago, but will not play on Wednesday due to a lower-body injury. The 36-year-old defenseman is averaging 11:05 time-on-ice and has two assists in 15 games. Dysin Mayo will draw into the lineup as Smith's replacement.

Mayo played one game with the Blue Jackets earlier this season, but has spent most of the season in the AHL, where he has seven points (2G / 5A) in 19 games with the Cleveland Monsters. The Blue Jackets placed Isac Lundestrom on Injured Reserve in a corresponding move.