Jackets Expect Three on the Shelf

It sounds as though the Columbus Blue Jackets are going to be in tough tonight against the Sharks, as they are now expecting to be without three of their key players. The Jackets will be without Kristian Huselius, Derrick Brassard and Mike Commodore for the game. Huselius will be missing due to an undisclosed injury, Brassard to a swollen hand and Commodore was not disclosed, but it's likely a lower-body injury. All three are considered to be out day-to-day for now.

Huselius was having a reasonable start to the season, scoring five goals and four assists in the first 13 games of the season for Columbus. He has been bouncing between the first two lines on the team, so he has lost ground to team leader, Rick Nash, who has 20 points.

Brassard isn't too far behind Huselius, having scored two goals and six assists in the same 13 games, also a part of some of that line-juggling this year. Forward chemistry has been a bit of an issue to start the season for Columbus.

On the backend, Commodore has only played in five games, registering three assists. His season has been hampered with injuries, which really reduces his fantasy value. He is likely a good candidate for being dropped or the very least, benched.

Both Huselius and Brassard have ties to the Draft, being taken by Dale B. and Larry, respectively. Neither player are expected to miss much time at the moment, but of course, that can change once more information leaks out. Both Dale and Larry are in the bottom half of the pool standings, so the least amount of time missed will benefit both of them greatly.

On the Sheet, all three players have a spot. Huselius, in Box 2, taken zero time. Brassard, in Box 4, taken zero times. Commodore, in Box 11, taken 0 times. Hmmmmm... no immediate implications there.