Columbus Blue Jackets News

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.

Merzlikins has been under the weather and will return to the crease for the first time in 10 days, tending the twine on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has been serviceable this season, posting a 3.14 GAA and .908 SV% in seven games (4-3-0). Merzlikins has recorded a sub-.900 SV% in three straight seasons prior to this one.

For the fifth straight game, the front end of a back-to-back, the Blue Jackets will again turn to Greaves between the pipes. Greaves was excellent in his most recent game, saving 31 of 32 shots (.969 SV%), but fell short in a 2-1 shootout loss to the New York Rangers. The 24-year-old netminder has a 2.79 GAA and .904 SV% in 11 games this season (5-4-2). The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest as -125 home favorites against a struggling Canadiens team riding a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).

Johnson was a late scratch in the Blue Jackets' previous game due to an illness, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 23-year-old Johnson had a breakout 2024-25 season, with 57 points (24G / 33A) in 68 games, but is off to a slow start in 2025-26, with only five points (2G / 3A) through 15 contests.

Greaves just finished playing both ends of a back-to-back and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 24-year-old Greaves was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 2-1 shootout win over the Seattle Kraken. He has a 2.89 GAA and .901 SV% in nine games this season (4-4-1). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as slight -110 home favorites against an Oilers team that narrowly defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in overtime last night.

Jenner was limited to only 7:21 time-on-ice in the Blue Jackets' most recent game, exiting in the second period due to an upper-body injury. The 32-year-old has battled injuries over the past few years. He has 10 points (3G / 7A) in 16 games this season.

Wood will return to the lineup after missing Monday's game with an illness. Zach Aston-Reese will sit in his place.

Aston-Reese will fall right back out of the lineup after drawing in on Monday. Miles Wood (illness) returns to the lineup in his place.

Johnson appears to be the latest Blue Jacket to fall victim to the illness circulating their dressing room. He took warmups on Tuesday but did not participate in line rushes. Cole Sillinger (illness) will return to the lineup in his place.

Sillinger will return to the lineup after missing Monday's game with an illness. He will slot in for Kent Johnson, who is now expected to be out with an illness.