According to the Blue Jackets press release, Hofmann was "given permission to step away for personal reasons and informed us today that because of those reasons he has decided not to return." Hofmann's suspension should allow Yegor Chinakhov and Emil Bemstrom to continue to get regular playing time.
Sanheim, who has missed the last two games, was back at practice on Monday and skated on the top-pair with Rasmus Ristolainen. Sanheim will replace Justin Braun, who entered COVID-19 protocol on Monday.
Malkin has not played this season but has been practicing regularly for a while. This is the first time that he's been listed as a game-time decision, which is a good sign that he'll be available in Anaheim. Malkin skated on the second line with Jeff Carter and Kasperi Kapanen and PP1 in Monday's practice session.
After two games on the top line, Frk will come out of the lineup on Monday after being added to the COVID-19 protocol list. Alex Iafallo was activated from the same list and will draw back into the lineup to replace Frk.
Wennberg has been in COVID-19 protocol since January 3rd but "is available for today's game," according to head coach Dave Hakstol. Wennberg is officially a game-time decision but expect him to play in Colorado.
Johnson has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but will play Monday vs. the Kraken. It's unclear who the veteran defenseman will replace but he enters the lineup with one goal and five assists (six points) in 27 games this season.
Nichushkin has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury but will play Monday vs. the Kraken. Nichushkin will replace Gabriel Landeskog (COVID-19 protocol) in the lineup.
Landeskog, who was named the first star in the NHL last week, will miss Monday's game vs. the Kraken. Valeri Nichushkin will return from an upper-body injury and will replace Landeskog in the lineup on Monday.
Quinn was the No.8 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft and could make his NHL debut on Tuesday. Quinn was on the ice for Monday's practice, skating with Dylan Cozens and Vinnie Hinostroza. The 20-year-old winger has 12 goals and 14 assists (26 points) in 20 AHL games this season.
The Hurricanes provided a very murky update on Raanta's upper-body injury. He's more than day-to-day but isn't expected to be out long-term. The Hurricanes will move forward with a goaltending duo of Frederik Andersen and Alex Lyon.
The Jets only have one game this week, so Ehlers will likely only miss a single game after being added to the COVID-19 protocol list on Monday.
