Blue Jackets' Voracek: 'Very slim' chance I return this season

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jakub Voracek confirmed Monday that his chances of returning this season are "very slim."

Voracek has been out since sustaining a concussion Nov. 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Blue Jackets announced Friday the 33-year-old is not medically cleared to resume hockey activities.

"I feel OK. ... After talking to many people and many doctors, we came to the conclusion that as of right now, I'm not capable of coming back," Voracek said.

"I'm going to make my best efforts to try to (return), but it might be a long process," Voracek continued. "As of now, I don't see myself playing in the near future, but I'll do everything in my power to try to get back on the ice."

Voracek added he's had "seven or eight documented concussions" in addition to the "little ones when you're not sure."

"If this happened from the high stick (from Colorado Avalanche forward Dryden Hunt), which was a pretty hard swing right under the nose, I'm kinda worried what would happen if I get hit like I did in the past. ... What's gonna happen to me? (I wonder) if I will even be able to get up out of bed in the morning," Voracek said.

Voracek spoke with Blue Jackets legend Rick Nash the day after sustaining the injury. Nash retired at 34 due to concussion-like symptoms.

"We had a conversation about it. I felt like I was speaking to (myself)," Voracek said. "We had the same ideas, same opinions on those things - what I went through with my concussions, what he went through with his concussions. It was a good chitchat."

Voracek tallied six points in 11 contests prior to getting hurt. He's accrued 222 goals and 800 points in 1,047 career games split between the Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers.