Blue Jackets' Werenski out for season with separated shoulder, torn labrum
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski is expected to miss the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign after suffering a separated shoulder and a torn labrum Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Werenski failed to connect on a hit with Travis Konecny and crashed hard into the boards in the first period.
A replay of Werenski going down in the corner. He immediately went down the tunnel. pic.twitter.com/20jaqTDWgr
— CBJ Center (@CBJcenter) November 11, 2022
Fellow defensemen Nick Blankenburg and Erik Gudbranson also got hurt Thursday. Blankenburg is out six-to-eight weeks with a fractured ankle and a high ankle sprain, while Gudbranson is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
With Adam Boqvist still expected to miss another four weeks with a foot injury, Columbus is paper thin on defense. Here's the team's projected depth chart.
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| Vladislav Gavrikov | Andrew Peeke |
| Jake Bean | David Jiricek |
| Gavin Bayreuther | Marcus Bjork |
Bayreuther, Jiricek, and Bjork were recalled from the AHL in corresponding moves.
Werenski recorded three goals and five assists in 13 games this season while averaging a team-high 23:26. He logged just 6:03 of ice time Thursday. The 25-year-old is signed through 2027-28 with a $9.58-million cap hit.
Blankenburg, 24, tallied three points in seven appearances this season while averaging 18:02 per game.