Blue Jackets assign David Jiricek to AHL; Kent Johnson expected to return Thursday
The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have loaned defenseman David Jiricek to their AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, in order to make room on their roster for center Kent Johnson to be activated from injured reserve and return to the lineup on Thursday.
ROSTER UPDATE 🚨
We’ve loaned defenseman David Jiricek and forward Mikael Pyyhtia to @monstershockey.
📝 https://t.co/seOw7I1Hdh@RuoffMortgage | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/5WqtlEkEiG
It looks like Kent Johnson (upper-body) will be back in the #CBJ lineup on Thursday. He's skating on the 2nd line and PP1 in Wednesday's practice. The team made roster moves this morning to clear the way for him to be activated from IR. pic.twitter.com/XCwCpWf8i8
— Daily Faceoff – Fantasy (@DFOFantasy) November 20, 2024Johnson had missed the past 14 games for the Blue Jackets after suffering a shoulder injury during their 6-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres on October 17th. He had been practicing for the past few days, and with Columbus making the corresponding roster moves to make room for him, he appears to be ready for a return in Thursday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Blue Jackets went 5-7-2 during his absence.
Based on lines in practice, Johnson will likely slot next to Adam Fantilli and James van Riemsdyk on the Blue Jackets’ second line. This trio has spent 4:24 of ice time together so far this season, with no goals scored at either end of the ice and only a 30% 5v5 expected goal share during their minutes together.
Johnson’s injury disrupted what was a strong start to the season for him, as he had 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in just 4 games.
In order to make room for Johnson’s return, the Blue Jackets loaned Jiricek to the Monsters in the AHL, along with winger Mikael Pyyhtia. Jiricek had struggled to get into the lineup so far this season, playing just six games, and also only averaging 11:12 of ice time, so it was likely better for the development of the 2022 sixth-overall pick to get more playing time in the minors.
In his 6 games so far this season, Jiricek has just one assist. Meanwhile, Mikael Pyyhtia got a lot more games in with 17 for the team, but had just 1 goal on the year.
Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell also announced that 2024 fourth-overall pick Cayden Lindstrom underwent a minor surgical procedure on his back on Tuesday, and is expected to play again this season after rehabbing the injury. Lindstrom hasn’t played a game of hockey since December 16th, 2023 due to this back injury.
The Blue Jackets will look to build off of Monday’s 5-1 win over the Boston Bruins when they host the Lightning on Thursday at 7 p.m. EST. Columbus currently sits in last in the Metropolitan Division with a 7-9-2 record.