Smith has been playing with the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL this season and signed a two-way contract with the Blue Jackets earlier this week, adding some depth to their blueline. The 36-year-old defenseman spent the 2024-25 season as the seventh defenseman for the Dallas Stars, scoring six points (1G / 5A) in 32 games.
Mayo played one game for the Blue Jackets earlier this month, but he will return to a familiar place in the AHL with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 29-year-old Mayo has four points (0G / 4A) in five games with Cleveland this season.
Werenski did not play in the third period of Monday's 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the game after 17:36 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old Werenski played in all but one game last season, but has battled injury concerns in recent years. That said, the team seems to have avoided a serious injury and are in the clear with their star blueliner, who has 21 points (7G / 14A) in 23 games this season.
Olivier only played six shifts in Monday's 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the game with an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old Olivier had 71 hits, 44 penalty minutes, and nine points (3G / 6A) in 23 games this season. The Blue Jackets should provide an update on Olivier before they return to action on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Werenski did not play in the third period of Monday's 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the game after 17:36 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The team has yet to provide an update on the status of their star blueliner, who has 21 points (7G / 14A) in 23 games this season. The 28-year-old Werenski played in all but one game last season, but has battled injury concerns in recent years.
Marchenko will be further evaluated after exiting the Blue Jackets' morning skate early on Monday with an upper-body injury and will not play in their game against the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old Marchenko has been terrific this season and his offense will be sorely missed. He has 22 points (8G / 14A) and 65 shots in 22 games this season.
Smith has been playing with the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL this season and adds some depth to the Blue Jackets' blueline after signing a two-way contract. The 36-year-old defenseman spent the 2024-25 season as the seventh defenseman for the Dallas Stars, scoring six points (1G / 5A) in 32 games.
Marchenko will be further evaluated after exiting the Blue Jackets' morning skate early on Monday and is questionable for their game against the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old Marchenko has been terrific this season, and his offense will be sorely missed if he is not able to suit up. He has 22 points (8G / 14A) and 65 shots in 22 games this season.
Merzlikins has taken a backseat to Jet Greaves in recent weeks, but he will return to the crease on Monday against the Washington Capitals. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has lost three straight (0-3-0), allowing 12 goals on 93 combined shots (.871 SV%). He has a 3.37 GAA and .900 SV% in eight games (4-4-0) and has not had a sub-3.00 GAA since the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. The Blue Jackets enter Monday's action as +142 road underdogs against a Capitals team that has scored 18 goals in its last three games (2-1-0).
Del Bel Belluz has been a lineup-regular for the Blue Jackets since being recalled two weeks ago, but will return to the AHL. The 22-year-old forward averaged 9:35 time-on-ice and scored one assist in seven games with Columbus. In a corresponding move, Columbus has recalled Brendan Gaunce from Cleveland (AHL).
Gaunce is no stranger to the NHL, with 189 career games, but has yet to suit up for the Blue Jackets this season. The 31-year-old forward has six points (4G / 2A) with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season. Luca Del Bel Belluz has been loaned to Cleveland in a corresponding move.
Greaves has had a heavy workload lately for the Blue Jackets, starting five of their last six games, and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old Greaves saved 29 of 32 shots (.906 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-3 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens. He has a 2.79 GAA and .904 SV% in 12 games this season (6-4-2). The Blue Jackets enter the action on Thursday as -111 road favorites against a Maple Leafs team that has several key injuries and has lost five of their last six (1-4-1).
Yegor Chinakhov will draw back into the Islanders lineup on Thursday, sending Aston-Reese to the sidelines as a healthy scratch against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old Aston-Reese is averaging 10:20 time-on-ice, recording three assists and 34 hits in 13 games this season.
Zach Aston-Reese will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, allowing Chinakhov to re-enter the lineup. The 24-year-old Chinakhov has four points (2G / 2A) in 14 games and has been held off the scoresheet in eight straight.
Luca Del Bel Belluz will return to the Blue Jackets lineup on Tuesday, sending Chinakhov to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Chinakhov has four points (2G / 2A) in 14 games and has been held off the scoresheet in eight straight.
Belluz was drafted 44th-overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and was a healthy scratch in the Blue Jackets' most recent contest after playing in five straight. The 21-year-old forward was productive in a brief 15-game stint with the Blue Jackets last season, scoring eight points (2G / 6A). Yegor Chinakhov will serve as a healthy scratch.
