Final Forward Adds
With the injury front for the Columbus Blue Jackets worsening than originally reported, the new management brass is now allowing themselves to sit back and relax. Over the weekend, the club has announced a one year, $775K contract signing to winger Kevin Labanc.
Labanc, 28, is a former sixth round draft pick for the San Jose Sharks. The Brooklyn, NY native was with the Sharks from the 2016-17 season until the 2023-24 season. Over the previous eight years, the winger 225 goals (82 goals, 143 assists) in 478 career games. That’s an average of 0.47 points per game. Labanc is also a startling -33 over his tenure and had 217 career penalty minutes.
Labanc was originally on a try out with the New Jersey Devils this past training camp, having six goals and an assist over his four games with the Devils.
The Blue Jackets have also claimed veteran winger Zach Aston-Reese off of the waiver wire from the Vegas Golden Knights.
Aston-Reese, 30, is a Staten Island, NY, forward that has played most of his career with Pittsburgh. The Penguin legend also skates with the Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings. He originally signed a one year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights over the summer. In 310 career NHL games, the Northeastern alumnus had 80 points (42 goals, 38 assists).
Opening Night Roster Announced
Due to the injuries of Boone Jenner and Dmitry Vornkov now lasting for months, the final injuries were announced. Forwards Justin Danforth, Gavin Brindley, Max McCue, and Jordan Dumais are all injured and are starting on the opening night non-roster list due to their injuries.
The final roster cut was James Malatesta to the AHL Cleveland Monsters.
Mikkael Pyyhita has made the opening night roster serving as the extra forward.
Denton Mateychuk has been loaned to the Monsters to get the most minutes possible. Jake Christiansen had a strong camp and will be the rotating depth with Jordan Harris and Jack Johnson as the spares on the defense.
The Jackets do not have a three goalie tandem as both Jet Greaves and Zach Sawchenko were sent to Cleveland.
The Columbus Blue Jackets’ opening night roster is as follows:
Forwards
Cole Sillinger Sean Kuraly Dylan Gambrell Adam Fantilli James van Riemsdyk Sean Monahan Mathieu Olivier Zach Aston-Reese Yegor Chinakov Kevin Labanc Mikael Pyyhita Kirill Marchenko Kent Johnson
Defensemen Jake Christiansen Jack Johnson Zach Werenski Ivan Provorov Jordan Harris Erik Gudbranson David Jiricek Damon Severson
Goaltenders
Daniil Tarasov Elvis Merzlikins
Injuries
Max McCue Justin Danforth Boone Jenner Gavin Brindley Dmitri Voronkov Jordan Dumais
Projected Opening Night Roster
James van Riemsdyk—Adam Fantilli—Kent Johnson Kevin LaBanc—Sean Monahan—Krill Marchenko Yegor Chinakov—Cole Sillinger—Dylan Gambrell Zach Aston-Reese—Sean Kuraly—Mathieu Olivier
Zach Werenski—Damon Severson Ivan Provorov—David Jiricek Jake Christiansen—Erik Gudbranson
Elvis Merzlikins Daniil Tarasov
Scratched: Mikkael Pyyhita, Jordan Harris, Jack Johnson Injured: Max McCue, Gavin Brindley, Justin Danforth, Jordan Dumais, Dmitry Voronkov, Boone Jenner