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Columbus Blue Jackets News
Dmitri Voronkov is expected to make his NHL debut on Thursday vs. Montreal.

Voronkov had an assist, two PIMs, and a -1 plus/minus in four games with Cleveland (AHL) and has been recalled to Columbus amidst the news of Patrik Laine's injury. The 23-year-old forward was the Blue Jackets' 2019 fourth-round pick (114th overall) and is expected to make his NHL debut Thursday vs. Montreal.

Dmitri Voronkov
Elvis Merzlikins will start Tuesday vs. Anaheim.

Despite allowing four goals on 28 shots, Merzlinkins recorded his second win of the season on Saturday and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. Merzlinkins and the Blue Jackets are -146 home favourites against a Ducks team that is averaging a lowly 2.20 goals per game. The Blue Jackets will, however, be without their star forward Patrik Laine (upper-body).

Elvis Merzlikins
Elvis Merzlikins will start Saturday vs. Minnesota.

Merzlikins was expected to start Friday vs. Calgary but was pulled late as he was still dealing with an illness and is expected to start Saturday vs. Minnesota. The 29-year-old has had an incredible two starts so far in 2023-24, with his 1-1-0 record, .950 SV% and 1.84 GAA. He takes on the Minnesota Wild, who have lost two of their last three games but are eighth in the NHL in goals per game (3.5).

Elvis Merzlikins
Elvis Merzlikins will start Saturday vs. Minnesota.

Merzlikins was expected to start Friday vs. Calgary but was pulled late as he was still dealing with an illness and is expected to start Saturday vs. Minnesota. The 29-year-old has had an incredible two starts so far in 2023-24, with his 1-1-0 record, .950 SV% and 1.84 GAA. He takes on the Minnesota Wild, who have lost two of their last three games but are eighth in the NHL in goals per game (3.5).

Elvis Merzlikins
Zach Werenski (quadriceps) has been activated from the injured-reserve and is expected to return to the Blue Jackets' lineup Friday vs. Calgary.

Werenski left the Blue Jackets' opening night game after just 13:43 TOI due to a hit from Garnet Hathaway and is expected to return Friday as Columbus hosts Calgary. The 26-year-old Blue Jackets' captain had his 2022-23 decimated by a torn labrum and separated shoulder which led to him collecting three goals and eight points in 13 total games. He will hope this season is not defined by injuries after missing two Blue Jackets' games thus far.

Zach Werenski
Kevin Labanc was originally informed he was placed on waivers but will instead make his season debut Thursday.

Labanc's camp was informed earlier in the day that he would be placed on waivers but have changed their minds and will now be putting him in the Sharks' lineup for his season debut. He had 15 goals, 18 assists, 129 SOG, 36 PIMs and a -17 plus/minus through 72 games in 2022-23 but has yet to see NHL action this season through San Jose's first three games. He will make his season debut Thursday as the Sharks take on Boston and is expected to play on San Jose's second line alongside Thomas Bordeleau and Filip Zadina.

Kevin Labanc
Kevin Labanc will make his season debut Thursday vs. Boston.

Labanc had 15 goals, 18 assists, 129 SOG, 36 PIMs and a -17 plus/minus through 72 games in 2022-23 but has yet to see NHL action this season through San Jose's first three games. He will make his season debut Thursday as the Sharks take on Boston and is expected to play on San Jose's second line alongside Thomas Bordeleau and Filip Zadina.

Kevin Labanc
Zach Werenski (knee) took part in drills at practice and is a game-time decision Friday vs. Philadelphia.

This is promising news for Werenski, who was injured in the Blue Jackets' season-opener after missing 69 games last season. Werenski was held pointless in 13:43 of ice time, but the talented 26-year-old has 79 goals since the 2016-17 season, eighth most amount defencemen despite playing at least 49 games fewer than everyone ranked above him. If Werenski can play, he will likely assume his duties on the Blue Jackets top powerplay unit immediately.

Zach Werenski
Mathieu Olivier will be a healthy scratch Monday vs. Detroit.

Olivier had two PIMs, a -1 plus/minus and 12 shifts across 8:27 TOI in the Blue Jackets previous game vs. the Rangers but will be a healthy scratch Monday as they take on Detroit. The 26-year-old undrafted winger had his best career season in 2022-23 as he had five goals, 10 assists, 75 SOG, 81 PIMs and a -20 plus/minus in 66 games played. He will be replaced by Emil Bemstrom on Columbus' fourth line.

Mathieu Olivier
Elvis Merzlikins (stomach bug) is questionable to dress vs. Detroit Monday.

Jet Greaves has been called up from the AHL on an emergency basis as Merzlinkins continues to battle a stomach bug. Merzlinkins has played well in two games this season (1-1-0), recording a 1.84 GAA and .950 SV%. If Merzlinkins is indeed unable to play on Monday night, Spencer Martin will likely get his first start as a Blue Jacket.

Elvis Merzlikins
Columbus have added Jet Greaves on an emergency recall from Cleveland (AHL).

Elvis Merzlinkins is currently battling a stomach illness and if he is unable to suit up on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings, Greaves will likely slide in as the backup for the Blue Jackets. Greaves played one game last season for the Blue Jackets, his NHL debut, where he saved 46 of 49 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Jet Greaves
Jiricek is expected to make his season debut on Saturday.

Jiricek probably would have made the team out of training camp if he wasn't waiver exempt but because he was it was an easy decision to send him back to the AHL. With Zach Werenski out for at least one week, Jiricek was recalled and Eric Robinson was waived to make room for him. The 2022 No.6 overall pick had 38 points (6G / 32A) in 55 AHL games last season.

David Jiricek
Johnson will draw into the Blue Jackets' lineup on Saturday.

Johnson was a healthy scratch in the Blue Jackets' season opening loss but will play Saturday vs. the Rangers. It's not clear who Johnson will replace in the lineup, but based on Friday's practice lines, it appears to be Jack Roslovic. Johnson had a strong rookie season, scoring 16 goals with 24 assists (40 points) in 79 games.

Kent Johnson
Merzlikins will start Saturday vs. the Rangers.

Merzlikins stopped 33 of 35 shots in the Blue Jackets' season-opening loss to the Flyers. Despite the loss, it was an encouraging outing for Merzlikins, who struggled mightily during the 2022-23 season. Tonight he'll face a difficult test with the Rangers in town. They had an impressive opening night win over the Sabres.

Elvis Merzlikins