Zach Werenski Likely Out Long-Term
2 years agoColumbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski suffered an upper-body injury in Thursday's win over Philadelphia and looks set to miss significant time. The team hasn't yet provided a specific timeline, but head coach Brad Larsen has said that Werenski is "not good at all". He was hurt in the opening period when Travis Konecny dodged a hit from Werenski and the Columbus man crashed into the boards with his right side. Werenski managed to grab a goal and an assist in 6:03 of action before exiting. Erik Gudbranson also left with an upper-body problem, so Larsen likely has to make a lot of maneuvering at the back for Saturday's meeting with the Islanders. Vladislav Gavrikov had some good success last season when he filled in for Werenseki on the first defensive pairing, and it looks likely that Jake Bean will move up from the second power-play unit to the first.
Source: Aaron Portzline
Source: Aaron Portzline