Injuries, illness prompt Columbus Blue Jackets IR moves: Merzlikins, Boqvist and Sillinger out
After trading Eric Robinson to the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, the Blue Jackets’ front office announced a bevy of additional moves related to injuries and illness.
Elvis Merzlikins (illness), defenseman Adam Boqvist (shoulder strain) and center Cole Sillinger (upper-body injury) were placed on injured reserve to make room for the recalls of defenseman Nick Blankenburg, forward Emil Bemstrom and goalie Jet Greaves from the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League.
More: Columbus Blue Jackets stumble against Los Angeles Kings, lose another lead: 3 takeaways
Merzlikins is expected to miss a week with an illness that appears to be spreading around the team. The announcement comes a day after he took the goaltending loss in a 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at Nationwide Arena, which didn’t include forward Patrik Laine (illness) and defenseman Erik Gudbranson (illness).
Boqvist injured his shoulder during that game and is expected to miss four weeks, which is more tough luck for him after finally getting a chance to play on the top defense pairing with Zach Werenski. Sillinger has missed the past three games with an undisclosed injury that's a “day-to-day" issue.
At this point, however, it’s possible that Bemstrom’s recall is a chance for him to showcase his skills for any teams that might be interested in trading for him. Bemstrom had one of his agents in Columbus on Tuesday seeking options for a “change of scenery” trade that will give the enigmatic forward a new opportunity with a different team.
Bemstrom’s recall is his latest after yet another highly successful AHL stint, in which the Swedish forward posted 10 goals, four assists and 14 points in just eight games. Without Robinson, Sillinger or Jack Roslovic (IR ankle) around to block him on the NHL roster, the path should be clear for Bemstrom to get another chance to prove he should be part of the Blue Jackets’ regular lineup.
Stay tuned on that front.
Blankenburg is finally getting recalled from the Monsters due to Boqvist’s injury creating a need. It’s unknown whether he’ll go straight into the Jackets’ lineup Thursday at the New York Islanders, but that shouldn’t be a surprise if it happens.
Gudbranson also missed practice Wednesday with his illness and his status to play is unknown. Andrew Peeke, a healthy scratch for most of the season, took his place against the Kings and played just his fifth game. Blankenburg could go into the lineup for either or simply provide depth a healthy scratch.
Greaves is expected to back up Spencer Martin, who’s done an impressive job backing up Merzlikins since being acquired off waivers (Vancouver Canucks) in the preseason.
More: 5 things we learned in Columbus Blue Jackets' OT loss to Florida Panthers
The Blue Jackets (8-14-5) head into the Islanders game after losing leads to start the third period and dropping their past two games against Boston and L.A. They’ll return to conclude a back-to-back against the St. Louis Blues on Friday at Nationwide Arena.
Get more Columbus Blue Jackets talk on the Cannon Fodder Podcast
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Merzlikins, Boqvist and Sillinger to Blue Jackets' injured reserve
