Columbus Blue Jackets News

Merzlikins will start in New York on Monday.

Daniil Tarasov between the pipes in Saturday's 1-0 shootout loss to the New York Rangers, but the Blue Jackets will return to Merzlikins on Monday against the New York Islanders. Merzlikins saved 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. He has a 3.05 GAA and .890 SV% in 29 games this season (16-10-3). The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest as +142 road underdogs against an Islanders club they defeated 2-0 on October 30th.

Elvis Merzlikins
Columbus has signed Jake Christiansen to a two-year, $1.95 million contract extension ($975K AAV).

Christiansen has been a staple on the Blue Jackets' blue line this season and has been rewarded with a two-year, $1.95 million contract extension. The 25-year-old defenseman is averaging 13:07 time-on-ice, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 41 hits, and 28 blocks in 45 games this season.

Jake Christiansen
Merzlikins will start vs. San Jose on Thursday.

The red-hot Blue Jackets have won five straight and will turn to Merzlikins between the pipes on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Merzlikins was excellent in his previous outing, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Seattle Kraken. He has a 3.12 GAA and .889 SV% in 28 games this season (15-10-3). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as -163 home favorites against a Sharks team that snapped the Detroit Red Wings' seven-game winning streak with a 6-3 win on Tuesday.

Elvis Merzlikins
Aston-Reese (upper-body) is expected to play on Tuesday vs. Philadelphia.

Aston-Reese has impressed in his first season with the Blue Jackets, recording 11 points (4G / 7A), 32 blocks, and 94 hits in 42 games. The 30-year-old Aston-Reese spent most of the 2023-24 season in the AHL but has solidified himself a spot with the Blue Jackets. He signed a one-year, $775,000 contract extension with the club on Monday.

Zach Aston-Reese
Columbus has signed Zach Aston-Reese to a one-year, $775,000 contract extension.

Aston-Reese has impressed in his first season with the Blue Jackets, recording 11 points (4G / 7A), 32 blocks, and 94 hits in 42 games. The 30-year-old Aston-Reese spent most of the 2023-24 season in the AHL but has solidified himself a spot with the Blue Jackets.

Zach Aston-Reese
Monahan has a sprained wrist and is expected to miss at least the next 7-10 days.

It's unclear when Monahan suffered his wrist injury in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he did not appear in the third period, finishing the game with only 12:26 time-on-ice. Thankfully for Monahan and the Blue Jackets, he will not require surgery and should not be out for a significant amount of time. Monahan, in his age-30 season, was producing at a point-per-game pace for only the second time in his career, with 41 points (14G / 27A) in 41 games.

Sean Monahan
Greaves has been recalled from Cleveland (AHL).

Daniil Tarasov has only played on game in the last month has been assigned to Cleveland (AHL) for a conditioning stint, swapping places with Greaves. The 23-year-old Greaves has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL but has seen some NHL action as well, posting a 3.48 GAA and .890 SV% in four outings (1-1-2).

Jet Greaves