Columbus Blue Jackets News

Werenski was held off of the ice on Wednesday and his status for Thursday’s game remains up in the air. Monitor Werenski’s status tomorrow, but because the Blue Jackets rarely hold a morning skate, there might not be an update on Werenski’s status until closer to puck-drop.

Gudbranson suffered a wrist injury last week and will undergo wrist surgery. The Canucks will not release a timetable until after the surgery is completed. With Gudbranson out, Alex Biega will remain in the lineup for the foreseeable future.

Gudbranson is banged up and will be evaluated before Friday’s game, which leaves him as a game-time decision. Luckily for the Canucks, they will be getting Chris Tanev (ankle) back tonight.

Heinen appeared in just one game during his call-up and was a healthy scratch for the last two games. The 21-year-old has 13 points (7G / 6A) in 13 games with Providence this season.

Heinen has spent the majority of the year with Providence, where he has picked up seven goals and six assists (13 points) in 13 games. He has failed to record a point in seven games with Boston, but will draw back into the lineup tonight vs. Toronto.

Wood, 21, was a fourth-round pick (100th overall) in 2013. The American-born winger has picked up three goals and three assists (six points) in 14 games with Albany. Wood will be at practice on Monday and could make his season debut this week.

Heinen failed to record a point in seven games with the Bruins. Heinen played in the top-6 with regularity, but could produce offensively. With David Pastrnak ready to return from suspension, the Bruins will roll with Austin Czarnik instead of Heinen.

Wood, 21, had no points in two games with the Devils to start the season and with Sergey Kalinin returning to the lineup on Saturday, Wood has been sent to Albany. He had 35 points (10G / 25A) in 37 games with Boston College last year and should have no trouble picking up points in the AHL.

Heinen has yet to record a point in four games with the Bruins this season and tonight he will come out of the lineup and Ryan Spooner will be back in.

Nichushkin was unhappy with his playing time in Dallas and the 21-year-old restricted free agent has decided to return to Russia for the 2016-17 season. Nichushkin was the 10th overall pick in 2013 but has yet to develop into the scoring power-forward that he was expected to become. He had just 29 points (9G / 20A) in 79 games last season and 64 points (23G / 41A) across 166 career NHL games.

Monahan, 21, scored 27 goals with 36 assists for a career-high 63 points in 2015-16. The 2013 sixth overall pick has had an outstanding start to his NHL career—his 58 goals over the last two years is good for 16th in the NHL over that span. Monahan is easily a No.2 fantasy centre with No.1 upside.

Gudbranson missed the last three games of the regular season, but will be back in for the start of the playoffs. Gudbranson doesn’t do much in the way of offence, but he is a big, physical defenseman who will play a big part in a playoff series for the Panthers.

Gudbranson will miss his third consecutive game on Saturday, but should be ready for game 1. Gudbranson probably could have played tonight but there is no need to risk him getting hurt for the playoffs.

Gudbranson took a hit to the head last night, so the immediate concern is that he may have suffered a concussion. He missed eight games with a concussion earlier in the season. Alex Petrovic will replace him in the lineup tonight in Montreal.

Gudbranson has missed the last seven games with a lower-body injury, but will return tonight vs. the Devils. With Gudbranson back, Alex Petrovic will be a healthy scratch. Gudbranson has two goals and seven assists (nine points) in 61 games this season.

Werenski, 18, was the eighth overall pick in 2015 and will report to Lake Erie (AHL) on a “tryout” while the Blue Jackets work on an entry-level deal for him. Werenski just finished up his second season at the University of Michigan, where he had 36 points (11G / 25A) in 36 games.

Gudbranson has missed the last three games and will miss at least three more with a lower-body injury. With Gudbranson out, Steve Kampfer and Jakub Kindl will continue to man the Panthers’ third pairing.