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
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.
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.
The Blue Jackets have alternated netminder in their first two games but will turn back to Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers. In his previous two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10). That said, he played reasonably in his first outing this season, saving 23 of 26 shots (.885 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. Columbus enters action on Tuesday as a +134 home underdog.
Lundestrom collided with Leo Carlsson at practice on Thursday and was down on the ice for several minutes before being assisted off. The 25-year-old Lundestrom is in his sixth season with the Ducks after scoring 11 points (5G / 6A) in 46 games last season.
The Blue Jackets will turn to Merzlikins in their season opener on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. After an outstanding rookie season in 2019-20, where he posted a 2.35 GAA, .923 SV%, and five shutouts in 33 games (13-9-8), Merzlikins' quality of play has tailed off significantly and has been borderline abysmal. In his last two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10). The Blue Jackets enter action as +223 road underdogs against the Wild.
The Blue Jackets will turn to Merzlikins in their season opener on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. After an outstanding rookie season in 2019-20, where he posted a 2.35 GAA, .923 SV%, and five shutouts in 33 games (13-9-8), Merzlikins' quality of play has tailed off significantly and has been borderline abysmal. In his last two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10). The Blue Jackets enter action as +223 road underdogs against the Wild.
Jenner is expected to miss the next 5-6 months as he rehabs from the successful shoulder surgery that he underwent on Wednesday. The 31-year-old Blue Jackets' captain will hope to return by seasons end while his absence will create a massive hole in their lineup after he had 22 goals, 35 points and 155 SOG in 58 games in 2023-24. Expect Sean Monahan and Adam Fantilli to lock down top-six roles while he recovers.
Aston-Reese signed a one-year, two-way contract with Vegas in the offseason but has been claimed off waivers by Columbus on Monday. The 29-year-old carries a $775,000 cap hit into the 2024-25 season and should provide much-needed depth for the Blue Jackets offence. In three games with Detroit in 2023-24, he failed to pick up a point while averaging only 5:09 TOI/GP.
Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell said that Jenner is going to be out "a while" and is going to see another specialist next week. The team should release a more detailed timetable following that appointment. Jenner battled injuries last season but still managed 35 points (22G / 13A) in 58 games. In an effort to replace Jenner, the Blue Jackets signed Kevin Labanc on Sunday.
Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell said that Jenner is going to be out "a while" and is going to see another specialist next week. The team should release a more detailed timetable following that appointment. In an effort to replace Jenner, the Blue Jackets signed Kevin Labanc on Sunday.
Voronkov will be out indefinitely with an upper-body injury after it was announced Friday that Columbus had placed him on injured reserve. The 24-year-old winger will have to delay his sophomore season debut with this latest news after putting up 18 goals, 34 points and 52 PIMs as a rookie in 75 games played in 2023-24.
Jenner lost an edge and slammed into the boards at practice on Friday. Jenner left practice with a trainer in obvious discomfort but the Blue Jackets did not provide any details on his status after the session.
Gudbranson has missed the last two preseason games with a lower-body injury but skated on Friday. Gudbranson is in the mix for playing time on the Blue Jackets' blueline but is questionable to be available for the season opener next Thursday.
Head coach Dean Evason did not have an update on Voronkov post-game, so for now consider him day-to-day until the Blue Jackets release more information in the coming days. Columbus opened their season next Thursday in Minnesota.
Weeks after signing fellow 2021 1st-round pick (5th overall) Kent Johnson, Columbus has also agreed to signed Cole Sillinger to a two-year, $4.5 million contract extension ($2,250,000 AAV). The 21-year-old was drafted 12th overall by the Blue Jackets in 2021 and has faced his share of up-and downs since joining the NHL as an 18-year-old in 2021-22. In 77 games in 2023-24 he had 13 goals, 32 points, 46 PIMs and 157 SOG while averaging 16:07 TOI/GP.
