Overview
- CBJ Public Relations confirmed that Sean Monahan left Thursday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning with an upper-body injury and did not return to play.
- Coach Don Granato later described Monahan as day-to-day, but the club has not provided a formal timetable for his recovery.
- Monahan has been a regular contributor this season with six to seven points, 11 shot blocks and about a 53% faceoff rate, making his absence a loss in both scoring and faceoff minutes.
- If Monahan misses time the Blue Jackets could slide Cole Sillinger back to center, reinsert Luca Del Bel Belluz, or recall AHL centers such as Luca Pinelli or Owen Sillinger to restore depth.
- Columbus is 7-10-0 through 17 games and relies heavily on its trio of centers for faceoffs and offense, so the team’s next injury update will determine whether internal reshuffling or roster moves are required.