Columbus Blue Jackets News

Monahan (illness) will be a game-time decision tonight.

Monahan is sick and will not practice this morning, so the Flames will see how he is feeling later before making a decision whether or not to get him in the lineup tonight in the Flames' season opener vs. Vancouver. Monahan was set to centre the Flames top line with Curtis Glencross and Jiri Hudler on his wings.

Sean Monahan
Jenner will miss five weeks after undergoing surgery on his broken hand.

Jenner will miss the first month of the regular season, which is troublesome for the Blue Jackets who are currently without Nathan Horton (back) and Ryan Johansen (unsigned), all of whom were expect to be on Columbus' first line to start the season. The injury is sure to make Jenner drop in fantasy drafts, but he remains a 20-20 candidate.

Boone Jenner
Jenner expected to miss at least one month after suffering a broken left hand.

With Jenner out for a month, Nathan Horton out with a back injury and Ryan Johansen still unsigned, the Blue Jackets entire projected first line is unavailable. Jenner, 21, had 16 goals and 13 assists (29 points) in 72 games in his rookie season. The 6-foot-2, 204 lbs. forward is a great goal scorer and was poised for a breakout season, but it will have to wait one month before it starts.

Boone Jenner
The Panthers have signed restricted free agent Erik Gudbranson to a two-year contract.

Gudbranson, 22, had just nine points (3G / 6A) and a minus-7 rating in 65 games with the Panthers last season. While those numbers don't jump off the board at you, he led the Panthers in PIMs (114), hits (158) and was fifth in blocked shots (91). He put up decent offensive numbers in juniors, but has yet to show he can score consistently in the NHL.

Erik Gudbranson
Gaudreau will make his NHL debut on Sunday.

Gaudreau, who signed with the Flames earlier in the week, was the 2014 Hobey Baker Award winner. The fourth-round pick (104th overall) in 2011 scored 36 goals with 44 assists (80 points) in 40 games with Boston College this season. The under-sized, 20-year-old forward is expected to have his BC linemate Bill Arnold on his line in Vancouver tonight.

Johnny Gaudreau
Gudbranson (knee) is expected to return Thursday.

Gudbranson has missed the last nine games, but should be back in tonight. Great timing for the Panthers as they just found out Tom Gilbert is done for the season. Although the games don't mean much anymore, Gudbranson says he’s bound and determined to finish up strong heading into the offseason. He has two goals and five assists in 56 games this season.

Erik Gudbranson
van Riemsdyk is on the ice for the Maple Leafs' gameday skate after leaving Tuesday's game.

van Riemsdyk was run over by teammate Dion Phaneuf in Tuesday's loss to the Sharks. He left briefly but did return, so there is no surprise that he is on the ice this afternoon and is expected to play tonight vs. L.A. Despite the blowout loss to the Sharks, JVR still picked up an assist and now has 54 points (26G/28A) in 65 games.

James van Riemsdyk
van Riemsdyk (undisclosed) did not skate again today, but has been cleared to play Thursday.

Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle said that he expects van Riemsdyk to play on Thursday after being cleared medically on Wednesday. JVR has not skated with the Leafs since returning from the Olympics. In Sochi the line of JVR-Pavelski-Kessel was the USA's most dangerous in the preliminary round, the Leafs hope that JVR and Kessel will be able to bring that back with them as they get back underway tomorrow. van Riemsdyk has 24 goals and 23 assits (47 points) in 38 games this season.

James van Riemsdyk
Gudbranson (face) will travel with the Panthers on their upcoming three-game road-trip.

Gudbranson has missed the last five games after undergoing surgery on a broken orbital bone. The Panthers could use Gudbranson on the road-trip because Dylan Olsen and Alex Petrovic will not be available. If he can't go tomorrow, Mike Mottau would enter the lineup for the first time since December 3.

Erik Gudbranson
19+ | Please play responsibly! | Terms and Conditions apply