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Columbus Blue Jackets News
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
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
Kent Johnson is expected to make his season debut for Columbus Saturday vs. the New York Rangers.

Johnson was a healthy scratch in the Blue Jackets' season-opening 4-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers but will slot into the lineup on Saturday against the New York Rangers as they search for their first victory of the season. Johnson will likely slot in on the third line with Cole Sillinger and Justin Danforth. He had 40 points (16G / 24A) in 79 games with the Blue Jackets last season.

Kent Johnson
Zach Werenski (quad contusion) has been placed on injured reserve.

Werenski was placed on the injured reserve and will miss at least one week after being the target of a knee-on-knee collision with Garnet Hathaway in the Blue Jackets' season opener. Hathaway was given a two-minute minor for kneeing on the play. Injuries have been a thorn in Werenski's side the last several seasons as he is coming off a 2022-23 campaign where he was limited to only 13 games. David Jiricek has been recalled from the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL in his absence.

Zach Werenski
Werenski was forced to leave Thursday's game with a thigh contusion.

Werenski left Thursday's loss after a knee-on-knee collision with Garnet Hathaway. Initially, it did not look good, but Blue Jackets' head coach Pascal Vincent said that Werenski's injury is not believed to be long-term. This is a fortunate break for Werenski, who missed 69 games a season ago.

Zach Werenski
Fabbro will play in Thursday's game against the Blues.

A healthy scratch on Tuesday's opening night game against the Lightning, Fabbro will draw back into the lineup on Thursday in place of Luke Schenn (lower-body). Fabbro is expected to skate alongside Roman Josi on the Preds' top pair at 5v5. The 25-year-old defenseman tallied just two goals and nine assists in 79 games with the Predators last season.

Dante Fabbro
Kent Johnson will be a healthy scratch for the Blue Jackets' season opener vs. Philadelphia.

Johnson will start the season as a healthy scratch but the talented centreman should find himself on the Blue Jackets roster before long. Patrik Laine being moved to the middle has created an influx of center-depth to start the season for the Blue Jackets, likely factoring into Johnson's early-season healthy scratch. The fifth overall pick from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft is coming off his rookie season with the Blue Jackets which saw him tally 40 points (16G / 24A) in 79 games.

Kent Johnson
Elvis Merzlikins will start Columbus' season opener vs. Philadelphia.

After a fantastic rookie season in 2019-20, where he posted a 2.35 GAA and .923 SV% in 33 games (13-9-8), Merzlinkins has performed progressively worse each year. In 30 games last season (7-18-2), Merzlinkins had a horrendous 4.23 GAA and a .876 SV%. His league-worst GAA (minimum 10 starts) will need to be improved significantly or he will likely find himself battling for starts with backup goalie Spencer Martin. The Blue Jackets go into their season-opener listed as -113 home favourites against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Elvis Merzlikins
Elvis Merzlikins is in the starters' crease at morning skate ahead of the Blue Jackets' opener.

After a fantastic rookie season in 2019-20, where he posted a 2.35 GAA and .923 SV% in 33 games (13-9-8), Merzlinkins has performed progressively worse each year. In 30 games last season (7-18-2), Merzlinkins had a horrendous 4.23 GAA and a .876 SV%. His league-worst GAA (minimum 10 starts) will need to be improved significantly or he will likely find himself battling for starts with backup goalie Spencer Martin. The Blue Jackets go into their season-opener listed as -113 home favourites against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Elvis Merzlikins
Dante Fabbro will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday vs. Tampa Bay.

Fabbro had two goals, nine assists, 50 PIMs, 101 SOG, and a -4 plus/minus through 79 games with Nashville in 2022-23 but will be a healthy scratch for their first game of the season vs. Tampa Bay. The 25-year-old defenseman is entering his sixth NHL season and should find himself in the Predators' lineup more often than not this season.

Dante Fabbro
Yegor Chinakhov (back strain) has been placed on the injured reserve and is out indefinitely.

Chinakhov had four goals, nine assists, 44 SOG, 10 PIMs, and a -6 plus/minus through 30 games with Columbus in 2022-23 but will begin the season on the injured reserve as he deals with a back strain. The 22-year-old right-winger is out indefinitely as he enters his third NHL season. The former 1st round pick (21st overall) is expected to be a key depth piece for the young Blue Jackets in 2023-24.

Yegor Chinakhov
Mathieu Olivier has been placed on the injured reserve and is out indefinitely (leg).

Olivier will be forced to miss the beginning of the 2023-24 season as he was placed on the injured reserve Monday with a leg injury and will be out indefinitely. The 26-year-old forward is entering his fifth NHL season and second as a Blue Jacket after putting up five goals, 10 assists, 75 SOG, 81 PIMs, and a -20 plus/minus in 66 games in 2022-23.

Mathieu Olivier