Werenski is day-to-day with an upper-body injury and did not travel with the club on their two-game road trip in Florida/Carolina. Gabriel Carlsson is expected to replace Werenski in the lineup on Thursday.
Merzlikins was at practice on Wednesday and travelled with the team to Florida and was expected to start on this road trip. It's unclear if he suffered a setback or if this is just a move to create a spot to call up Jake Christiansen. The move is retroactive, so he's eligible to be activated for tomorrow's game if he's ready to start.
Smith was taken to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for evaluation after taking a shot off his helmet on Sunday. Smith was released and travelled with the team to Philadelphia but will likely be replaced by Ian Cole in the lineup on Monday.
Merzlikins left Saturday's practice with a lower-body injury and will not be available for Sunday's game vs. the Sabres. With Joonas Korpisalo also hurt, J-F Berube will get the start for Columbus.
Smith was scratched for three straight games but will replace Ethan Bear in the lineup on Friday. Smith has five points (3G / 2A), 19 PIMS and a plus-4 rating in 26 games this season.
Gaunce and Trey Fix-Wolansky will make their Blue Jackets debuts on Tuesday with both Eric Robinson and Emil Bemstrom unavailable. Gaunce was a first-round pick of the Canucks in 2012 and has 16 points (6G / 10A) in 118 career NHL games with Vancouver and Boston. He leads Cleveland in goals (16) and points (28) in 39 AHL games this season.
Heinen missed the final two games before the All-Star break with an upper-body injury but was a full participant in Monday's practice and will be a game-time decision on Tuesday. Heinen skated on the third line with Evan Rodrigues and Radim Zohorna in Monday's session.
Fabbro missed six games with an upper-body injury but is set to play Tuesday vs. the Canucks. Fabbro re-enters the lineup with one goal and 10 assists (11 points) in 35 games this season.
Smith has played in seven straight games but will be replaced by Ethan Bear in the lineup on Thursday.
