Johnson left Columbus' previous game vs. Buffalo after just 6:26 TOI due to an upper-body injury and is now expected to miss some time after head coach Dean Evason stated "it's not short-term" in regards to his return. It is unfortunate news for the 22-year-old, who was showing signs of a true breakout campaign with two goals, five points and eight SOG in his first four games played.

Chinakhov is battling an undisclosed ailment but isn't expected to miss anytime, continuing his torrid start to the 2024-25 season. The 23-year-old Chinakhov is averaging 18:44 time-on-ice through four games this season, nearly four minutes more than last season, and has tallied six points (2G / 4A).

Hunt being recalled likely indicates that Jared Spurgeon (lower body) will not be ready to return to Minnesota's lineup on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 22-year-old Hunt has played one game with Minnesota this season, tallying 8:01 time-on-ice and two shots on goal.

Johnson suffered the injury after colliding with teammate James van Riemsdyk in the second period of Thursday's game and did not return. We should expect to receive an update on the injury prior to Columbus' game against the Wild on Saturday.

Gambrell spent the entire 2024 season with the Toronto Marlies (AHL), scoring 14 goals with 22 assists (36 points) in 66 games. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Blue Jackets in the offseason. The 27-year-old has plenty of NHL experience, playing 233 career games for the Sharks and Senators.

Fischer did not play on Monday and was replaced by Austin Watson but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the New York Rangers. In two games with Detroit this season, Fischer is averaging 9:02 time-on-ice and has a -1 plus/minus rating.

Kevin Labanc will watch Thursday's contest against the Buffalo Sabres from the press box as a healthy scratch, allowing Danforth to make his season debut. The 31-year-old Danforth played a career-high 71 games last season, scoring 26 points (10G / 16A).

Johnson was a healthy scratch on Tuesday and was replaced in the lineup by Jordan Harris. Johnson, in his 19th NHL season, played the first two games for the Blue Jackets, his second stint with the team, averaging 14:43 time-on-ice while recording one block and two hits.

Labanc was signed by the Blue Jackets prior to the start of the season and has added some offensive contributions, tallying two points (0G / 2A) in three games, but will serve as a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. Justin Danforth will draw into the lineup as Labanc's replacement.

With Elvis Merzlikins being given some time to rest and regroup, the Blue Jackets will turn to Trasov between the pipes on Thursday for his second start of the young season. Tarasov was unspectacular in his first start, allowing four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%), but salvaged a 6-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. The Blue Jackets enter action on Thursday as +112 home underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres club that was defeated 6-5 in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins last night.

Merzlikins' injury is expected to be short-term. Daniil Tarasov will likely get the start on Thursday, with Jet Greaves coming up from Cleveland (AHL) to serve as his backup. Though two starts, Merzlikins is 0-2-0 with a 3.68 GAA and .854 SV%.

Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason stated that starting goalie Elvis Merzlikins needed a few days to rest and gather himself, resulting in the call-up of Greaves. The 23-year-old Greaves played nine games with the Blue Jackets last season (3-6-0), posting a 3.49 GAA and .908 SV%.

Gudbranson was forced to leave Tuesday's game vs. Florida early due to an upper-body injury and has been placed on IR on Wednesday. The 32-year-old stay-at-home defender had yet to pick up a point in any of his three appearances this season but had two PIMs and averaged 15:46 TOI/GP

Hunt's reassignment to the Iowa Wild (AHL) is likely a paper transaction unless Jared Spurgeon (lower body) is deemed ready to return to the lineup. The 22-year-old Hunt has played one game with Minnesota this season, tallying 8:01 time-on-ice and two shots on goal.

McCue will begin the season with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) after being activated from Injured Reserve. The 21-year-old McCue was a fifth-round pick of the San Jose Sharks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and is making his professional debut this season after tallying 61 points (27G / 34A) in 62 games with the London Knights (OHL) in 2023-24.

Hunt was the 65th overall pick of Minnesota in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old defenseman made his NHL debut last season, playing 12 games, but spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL, tallying 29 points (3G / 26A) in 51 games for the Iowa Wild.

Aston-Reese left Columbus' game vs. Colorado on Saturday after one shift and just 0:34 TOI due to an upper-body injury but is expected to return on Tuesday vs. Florida. The 29-year-old was claimed off of waivers a week ago from Vegas and is expected to be an everyday player in Columbus' lineup.