Blue Jackets’ Cole Sillinger out indefinitely

Columbus Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger will be out of the lineup indefinitely, Blues Jackets general manager Don Waddell confirmed Friday per Spencer Lazary of The Hockey News.

Facing the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, Sillinger exited midway through the first period after sustaining an upper-body injury and did not return, ultimately wrapping up the night with just 2:54 in ice time. Of note, the injury will prevent Sillinger from taking part in Saturday’s Stadium Series game versus the Red Wings at Ohio Stadium.

Through 54 appearances with the Blue Jackets this season, Sillinger has scored nine times and added 20 assists to sit seventh in team scoring with 29 points. Sillinger has also registered 35 penalty minutes and a minus-15 rating. Originally chosen 12th overall by his hometown Blue Jackets in the 2021 NHL Draft, Sillinger has appeared in 274 career contests with the club in which he has collected 41 goals and 62 assists for 103 points. Last season, the 21-year-old reached a career-high 32 points coming in 77 games.

Per PuckPedia, Sillinger is in the first year of a two-year contract that carries a $2.25-million annual average value.

In Sillinger’s absence, the Blue Jackets have recalled left winger Mikael Pyyhtia from the AHL affiliated Cleveland Monsters, reports The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline. The 23-year-old Finnish forward has split time between the two squads this season, counting one goal and five assists for six points through 10 showings with the Monsters, while he has also posted four goals and three assists for seven points in 46 appearances with the Blue Jackets.

Currently riding a three-game win streak, the Blue Jackets sit 29-22-8 on the season to hold down the final wildcard seed in Eastern Conference with 66 points. The Blue Jackets last qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2020.