Another key member of the Blue Jackets’ leadership group will be absent for most, if not all, of the remainder of the season.
Veteran defenseman and alternate captain Erik Gudbranson is out indefinitely after undergoing shoulder surgery on Monday. The Blue Jackets released a statement on Tuesday regarding the surgery, but they did not specify the exact nature of the procedure or the expected timeline for his rehabilitation.
Gudbranson, 33, suffered the injury during an accidental collision with teammate Sean Monahan in the second period of the Blue Jackets’ 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday at Nationwide Arena. He joins captain Boone Jenner on injured reserve, as Jenner also required shoulder surgery in early October.
“It’s a significant loss, right?” said Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason. “His presence is important. He’s physically imposing, but he’s also a leader in our locker room. As an alternate captain, he’s someone we’ve relied on. He performed exceptionally well throughout training camp and up to this point, so it’s unfortunate we won’t have him in the lineup. A lot of players will need to step up.”
Gudbranson, in his third year of a four-year contract worth $ 4 million annually, signed as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2022. Since joining the Blue Jackets from the Calgary Flames, the 6-foot-5, 222-pound defenseman has been a reliable influence both on and off the ice, primarily playing on the right side of the third defense pairing.
He has also taken on the role of “sheriff” for the Blue Jackets, bringing toughness and grit that helps keep opposing teams in check during physical play. With his absence for much of the season, power forward Mathieu Olivier and veteran defenseman Jack Johnson will need to take on that responsibility moving forward.
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