Severson moves on from benching: Jackets 'brought me here for a reason'

Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson owned up to the mistake that led to him being benched for the entire third period of Columbus' 4-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Monday.

Mere seconds before the Red Wings' second goal of the game, Severson had the puck deep in his own zone and tried to hit Patrik Laine - who was closer to the blue line - with a pass.

Detroit forward J.T. Compher intercepted Severson's attempt and found Michael Rasmussen, who ended the sequence with his first goal of the 2023-24 campaign.

"I don't know if I was trying to impress my new teammates, the fans, management. ... That's silly because they obviously brought me here for a reason," Severson said of the moment Wednesday, per The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.

"I'm well aware that I can't do that," he added. "Just keep it simple."

Blue Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent is also looking to "move on" from Severson's gaffe, adding that he was "really impressed" with the rearguard after Wednesday's practice.

The New Jersey Devils inked Severson to an eight-year, $50-million deal before sending him to the Jackets as part of a sign-and-trade in early June. His $6.25-million cap hit is the second-highest of all defensemen in Columbus, trailing only Zach Werenski.

Severson spent the first nine seasons of his career in New Jersey, racking up 58 goals and 263 points in 647 games. The Devils selected him in the second round of the 2012 NHL Draft.

The 29-year-old has yet to register a point in three games with his new team while averaging 18:29 minutes of ice time per contest.

Beyond adding Severson, the Blue Jackets further revamped their blue line in the offseason by bringing in Ivan Provorov in a three-way deal involving the Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings.

Columbus sits 1-2-0 on the season and will take on the Calgary Flames on Friday.