In Columbus, Ohio, the Blue Jackets' pre-season injury woes continue to pile up as key players find themselves sidelined before the early-season action even ramps up. Boone Jenner is recovering from recent surgery, leaving him with his right arm immobilized in a sling. Similarly, Erik Gudbranson sits out with his left arm incapacitated, potentially awaiting surgical intervention. Dmitri Voronkov, while not requiring surgery, remains unavailable until late next month. The rash of injuries has so severely impacted the team that they could not proceed with player introductions without noting the absence of significant lineup components.
Optimistically, Thursday night offered some celebration when the Blue Jackets emerged victorious against the Buffalo Sabres with a 6-4 win at Nationwide Arena. This victory came, albeit, with a bittersweet note as it became evident that their bright talent Kent Johnson might also join the ranks of the injured. Johnson, pivotal to the Blue Jackets' promising start this season, left the ice clutching his left arm shortly after the second period began, following a collision with his teammate James van Riemsdyk. Sadly, this arm injury echoes his shoulder injury from the previous season, which had sidelined him for the last six weeks and necessitated surgery.
The extent of Johnson's latest injury remains uncertain, with Coach Dean Evason expressing the severity might parallel Gudbranson's recent injury. The team and fans anxiously await Friday's medical evaluation to provide further insight into Johnson's condition. Johnson had been playing dynamically, marking a notable four-game point streak with 2 goals and 3 assists, making his absence particularly impactful. The team hopes the injury won't derail his ascent alongside playing partners Adam Fantilli and the seasoned van Riemsdyk.
This season, the Blue Jackets have exhibited resilience despite being plagued by injuries, which have contributed to a staggering 890 man-games lost over the past two years. The current wave is particularly unusual—a testament to seemingly random misfortunes. From Voronkov's preseason collision to Jenner's unexpected practice injury and Gudbranson's collision with Sean Monahan, these events defy typical hockey injuries. Now, Johnson's injury, caused by a minor on-ice miscommunication, adds yet another story to their saga of bad luck.
In a slightly less dire note, the injury to goaltender Elvis Merzlikins is expected to be short-term, and Cole Sillinger, after a tough hit from Buffalo's Connor Clifton, managed to return to the game post-concussion protocol. Additionally, they welcomed back forward Justin Danforth after an absence due to offseason wrist surgery. The team remains hopeful as they look for players to seize opportunities and step up amidst these challenges. As Cole Sillinger said, it's crucial to dig in for one another and rally as a team, rather than succumb to any feelings of self-pity over their tough injury luck.
