Columbus Blue Jackets News

McKown had 21 goals, seven assists, 30 PIMs and a -19 plus/minus through 38 games with Colorado College (NCAA) and will make his NHL debut Friday. The 20-year-old was an undrafted free agent who signed last week to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Sillinger has three goals, eight assists, 93 SOG, 22 PIMs and a -23 plus/minus through 64 games with Columbus this season and has been reassigned to Cleveland (AHL). The 19-year-old will be sent to Cleveland, where he has never played an AHL game before.

Merlikins had been having a historically bad season, with his 7-17-2 record, 4.10 GAA and .880 SV% and had left the Blue Jackets' to return to Latvia for personal reasons. The 28-year-old returned Wednesday resulting in Daniil Tarasov returning to Cleveland (AHL).

McKown had 21 goals, seven assists, 30 PIMs and a -19 plus/minus through 38 games with Colorado College (NCAA) and has been signed to a three-year, entry-level contract and is expected to join the team this week. The 20-year-old was an undrafted free agent.

Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins will be away from the team temporarily. His grandmother is seriously ill and he has returned to Latvia to be with family. The 28-year-old has struggled all season, with his 7-17-2 record, 4.1 GAA and .880 SV%.

Merzlkins allowed four goals on 23 shots (.826 SV%) for his fifth loss in six starts as he was defeated by the Ottawa Senators last game. Merzlikins has been historically bad this season, with his 7-17-2 record, 4.15 GAA and .879 SV%. He takes on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who just snapped a four-game winning streak with a 4-1 loss to Florida last game.

Fabbro has a goal, seven assists, 70 SOG, 36 PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 56 games played and has signed a one-year, $2.5 million extension with Nashville. The 24-year-old has 12 goals, 56 points and 121 PIMs through 230 career NHL games across five seasons.

Merzlikins stopped 38 of 41 shots (.927 SV%) to snap a three-game losing streak as he beat Buffalo in his previous start. The 28-year-old has been historically bad this season, with his .879 SV%, 4.10 GAA and 7-15-2 record. He will face the Seattle Kraken, who have won their last two games and are sixth in the NHL in goals per game (3.49).

Merzlikins allowed three goals on 44 shots (.932 SV%) for his third straight loss as he was defeated by Minnesota in his previous start. The 28-year-old has had a horrendous 2022-23 campaign, with his 6-15-2 record, 4.14 GAA and .876 SV%. He will face the Buffalo Sabres, who have won five of their last six games and are 2nd in the NHL in goals per game (3.78).

Merzlikins allowed three goals on 44 shots (.932 SV%) for his third straight loss as he was defeated by Minnesota in his previous start. The 28-year-old has had a horrendous 2022-23 campaign, with his 6-15-2 record, 4.14 GAA and .876 SV%. He will face the Buffalo Sabres, who have won five of their last six games and are 2nd in the NHL in goals per game (3.78).

Gaudreau missed the Blue Jackets' previous two games with a lower-body injury but is expected to return to Columbus' lineup Thursday vs. Minnesota. The 29-year-old has 15 goals, 52 points, 144 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -16 plus/minus through 55 games played prior to the injury.