On Wednesday evening, the Blue Jackets announced they have placed three key players on Injury Reserve.
Following a 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, the following players have been placed on the IR:
Elvis Merzlikins
Adam Boqvist
Cole Sillinger
They've also recalled the following forwards from the Cleveland Monsters:
Nick Blankenburg
Emil Bemstrom
Jet Greaves
This is obviously a huge loss for the Blue Jackets who look to string together some wins in the wide open Eastern Conference.
Merzlikins, 29, has dramatically improved his game from the 2022-23 season. At 6-8-4, his GAA of 3.10 and SV% of .910 are major jumps from the previous year.
Sillinger has just 1 goal and 9 points in 24 games with the Blue Jackets. The young center was selected 12th overall in the 2021 NHL draft.
Boqvist, also injured in the game, had just 3 points in 13 games this season. Often touted as one of the better defensemen on Columbus, he will be hard to replace on the blueline.
Jet Greaves, 22, has been called up as a backup goaltender to Spencer Martin.
Bemstrom cleared waivers earlier in November, and has since put up great numbers for the AHL's Monsters. Recording an impressive 9 goals, and 11 points in six games.
Blankenburg will fill in for Boqvist on the blueline. This will be his first opportunity playing in the NHL this season.
