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Columbus Blue Jackets injury updates: Monahan, Jenner, Gudbranson, Danforth and Chinakhov
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- Columbus Blue Jackets injury updates: Monahan, Jenner, Gudbranson, Danforth and Chinakhov
Key injuries have been a subtext of the Blue Jackets' season for a third straight year.
More: Columbus Blue Jackets' Sean Monahan on IR: Adam Fantilli fronts plan to replace him
The difference this time is their health-related absences hasn't sabotaged the season. The Blue Jackets aren't just getting by without captain Boone Jenner (shoulder surgery), Erik Gudbranson (shoulder surgery), Yegor Chinakhov (back), Justin Danforth (lower body) and, most recently, Sean Monahan (wrist).
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They're thriving.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) corrals a puck during the second period of the NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Dec. 19, 2024.
Going into a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena, the Jackets occupied the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with a chance to overtake the Boston Bruins for the first wild card. Backed by a push from a handful of veterans plus a surging young core group, the Blue Jackets have become one of the NHL's most intriguing stories.
There's also good news developing with most of their injuries, which could mimic the boost that playoff contenders often seek from deals at the NHL trade deadline.
"I just said that internally, actually, with our scouts in town," said Blue Jackets president of hockey operations/general manager Don Waddell. "I said, 'Our trade deadline additions will be Boone Jenner and hopefully Gudbranson and Chinakhov. That's our addition after not having those guys all year."
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Here's a closer look at the Blue Jackets' injury situation:
Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan (23) shoots past New Jersey Devils right wing Stefan Noesen (11) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Dec. 19, 2024.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan dealing with sprained wrist
After being cross-checked into the boards last week by Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang , Monahan left after taking one shift in the third period of the Blue Jackets' 4-3 shootout victory at PPG Paints Arena. He hasn't played since but received encouraging news after a bone scan showed no fractures. The injury is a "stretched" tendon that requires his wrist to be immobilized.
"It's not torn," Waddell said. "It's just stretched, so they immobilized his wrist for the next two weeks, and then when he gets that taken off, we'll see where he's at with it. It's not long term, but it's not 'day-to-day' either."
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Monahan was averaging a point per game as the time of the injury and is still the Jackets' third-leading scorer despite missing his third game Tuesday against the Flyers.
Boone Jenner said to be ahead of schedule in shoulder recovery
After undergoing surgery in October for a torn shoulder labrum that occurred during a practice drill late in the preseason, Jenner may gain full medical clearance soon to take contact during his individual conditioning skates.
It can take up to five or six months for that type of surgery to fully heal, but the Blue Jackets didn't give an estimated recovery timeline after announcing the procedure. Now, it should surprise nobody that he's making great progress. There's even a chance Jenner may return to action just before or at the Jackets' outdoor game against the Detroit Red Wings on March 1 at Ohio Stadium.
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"He's going Jan. 17 to get full clearance from the doctor," Waddell said. "He's doing everything but contact now, so he's ahead of schedule and doing very well. If everything goes well, I could see him maybe playing after the Four Nations Tournament."
Oct 18, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson (44) skates away with the puck during the second period between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Vancouver Canucks at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch
Erik Gudbranson not far behind Boone Jenner in shoulder recovery
Gudbranson collided with Monahan in the neutral zone during the Blue Jackets' season-opener against the Florida Panthers . His awkward fall just 11 days after Jenner's shoulder injury caused another key veteran to undergo shoulder surgery Oct. 21, which puts his return roughly two weeks behind the Blue Jackets' captain.
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Jenner and Gudbranson each have one year left in their contracts, so the Blue Jackets might take a more conservative approach before they put either into games.
"He's a couple weeks behind Boone," Waddell said of Gudbranson. "He's doing well. Depending on how things are going for us, he could be back sometime in March, but we'll have to make that decision carefully."
Gudbranson eventual return will add a strong presence in the locker room and on the ice, not to mention size, grit and snarl to the third defensive pairing.
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Justin Danforth (17) pursues the puck in front of Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (55) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024.
Justin Danforth may return to practice soon for Columbus Blue Jackets
Danforth has missed 16 games with a lower-body injury that has subtracted one of the Blue Jackets' most versatile forwards.
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Danforth can play any of the three positions up front, including center, and he'd become a key sparkplug for the third line prior to leaving the lineup. Waddell is hopeful Danforth returns to practice this week, which would put him close to returning for games.
Nov 23, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov (59) skates with the puck against Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) in the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Columbus Blue Jackets uncertain about return of forward Yegor Chinakhov
Chinakhov has missed 23 games while dealing with a lower back issue that also caused him to miss extended time two years ago. Waddell said there's progress being made, but Chinakhov isn't ready to get back on skates yet. Surgery hasn't been discussed at this point.
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Chinakhov had 14 points on seven goals and seven assists while skating primarily in a top-six role during the season's first 21 games. When healthy, his combination of size, speed and hard shot make him one of the NHL's best-kept secrets. Getting him back this season could give the high-scoring Blue Jackets yet another dangerous scoring forward.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: NHL update: Columbus Blue Jackets make progress with spate of injuries
