Blue Jackets’ Johnson to have season-ending shoulder surgery, Merzlikins day to day

Columbus Blue Jackets centre Kent Johnson skates with the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in St. Paul, Minn. (Abbie Parr/AP)

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson is expected to have season-ending left shoulder surgery later this week, the team announced Sunday.

The Blue Jackets placed Johnson on IR on Sunday, four days after he suffered a torn labrum against the New York Rangers.

The 21-year-old Johnson has six goals and 10 assists in 42 games this season.

The Blue Jackets picked Johnson fifth overall in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets also announced goalie Elvis Merzlikins is day to day with an upper-body injury. He has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate ahead of Friday’s deadline.

Goaltender Jet Greaves is now up on emergency recall from AHL Cleveland.

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