Columbus Blue Jackets News

Marchenko's jaw broke at the beginning of February when an arrant puck hit him while he was sitting on the bench. Most players typically take six to eight weeks before returning from a broken jaw, so his presence at practice this week and activation from IR is welcoming and surprising. Before his injury, the 24-year-old Marchenko was having a breakout season, scoring 55 points (21G / 34A) in 53 games.

Jenner underwent shoulder surgery before the start of the season and appears to be nearing his season debut after participating at practice this week. The Blue Jackets' captain has battled injuries the previous several seasons but always has a physical impact when he's in the lineup. He had 22 goals, 35 points, 119 hits, and 155 SOG in 58 games in 2023-24.

Labanc did not practice on Wednesday and has now been ruled out for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. The 29-year-old finishes the campaign with 12 points (2G / 10A) in 34 games, but had only two points (1G / 1A) in his last 21 contests.

Sillinger made his NHL debut earlier this season but spent most of the season in the AHL. The 27-year-old forward had 29 points (11G / 18A) in 44 games with the Cleveland Monsters this season.

LaBate was the 101st overall pick of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He played 13 games with the Canucks, scoring zero points, in the 2016-17 season, but has exclusively been an AHL player since. The 31-year-old LaBate has 13 points (6G / 7A) in 33 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season.

Fabbro did not play the previous three games for the Blue Jackets due to an upper-body injury but is expected to return to action on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old Fabbro is averaging 20:22 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (4G / 9A), 96 blocks, and 44 hits in 37 games this season.

Labanc has been in and out of the lineup for the Blue Jackets the past several weeks and will be sidelined indefinitely due to an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 34 games this season but has only two points (1G / 1A) in his last 21 games.

Jenner underwent shoulder surgery before the start of the season and appears to be nearing his season debut after participating at practice on Wednesday. The Blue Jackets' captain has battled injuries the previous several seasons but always has a physical impact when he's in the lineup. He had 22 goals, 35 points, 119 hits, and 155 SOG in 58 games in 2023-24.

Marchenko's jaw broke at the beginning of February when an arrant puck hit him while he was sitting on the bench. Most players typically take six to eight weeks before returning from a broken jaw, so his presence at practice on Wednesday was welcoming and surprising. Before his injury, the 24-year-old Marchenko was having a breakout season, scoring 55 points (21G / 34A) in 53 games.

Labanc will sit to make way for the return of Zach Werenski (lower-body) as the Blue Jackets are opting to dress seven defencemen. Labanc has two goals and ten assists in 34 games this season.

Werenski is battling a lower-body injury and could miss a second consecutive game on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. Already without Sean Monahan (wrist) and Kirill Marchenko (jaw), the Blue Jackets can ill-afford to be without the elite offensive services of Werenski, who is having a Norris trophy caliber season, with 57 points (17G / 40A) in 53 games.

The Blue Jackets have lost two straight (0-2-0) and will hope for a better result on Thursday, with Merzlikins tending the twine against the Utah Hockey Club. Merzlikins has played well lately, posting a .919 SV% in his last eight games (5-3-0). The 30-year-old netminder has a 2.96 GAA and .894 SV% in 35 games this season (19-13-3). Columbus enters Thursday's contest as +140 home underdogs against a Utah team with points in three of their last four (1-1-2).

Werenski is battling a lower-body injury and could miss a second consecutive game on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. Already without Sean Monahan (wrist) and Kirill Marchenko (jaw), the Blue Jackets can ill-afford to be without the elite offensive services of Werenski, who is having a Norris trophy caliber season, with 57 points (17G / 40A) in 53 games.

The Blue Jackets have lost two straight (0-2-0) and will hope for a better result on Thursday, with Merzlikins tending the twine against the Utah Hockey Club. Merzlikins has played well lately, posting a .919 SV% in his last eight games (5-3-0). The 30-year-old netminder has a 2.96 GAA and .894 SV% in 35 games this season (19-13-3). Columbus enters Thursday's contest as +140 home underdogs against a Utah team with points in three of their last four (1-1-2).

With the Blue Jackets dealing with some major injuries in their forward group, Gambrell was recalled earlier this week but did not crack the lineup and will return to the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 28-year-old Gambrell has 233 games of NHL experience but has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, tallying 20 points (9G / 11A) in 31 games this season.

Fischer will be the odd-man out on Tuesday when the Red Wings travel to Seattle to take on the Kraken. Dominik Shine will draw into the lineup in his place.

The Blue Jackets' three-game winning streak snapped in their most recent outing when Merzlikins allowed five goals on 39 shots (.872 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. Merzlikins will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has been solid lately, posting a .915 SV% in his last nine games (7-2-0). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +152 road underdogs against a Sabres team without offensive threat Tage Thompson (upper body).