In an unexpected twist, the Columbus Blue Jackets faced a challenging situation as star defenseman Zach Werenski suffered an early-season setback. Former Bruin Garnet Hathaway played a role in this turn of events, as a knee-on-knee collision during the season opener sidelined Werenski for 1-2 weeks, placing him on the injured reserve.
The team initially anticipated that top defensive prospect David Jiricek might step in. However, Jiricek's youth, waiver exemption, and fierce competition for defensive spots complicate his call-up. The Blue Jackets are leaning towards using an 11-forward and seven-defenseman lineup in their upcoming game to accommodate Jiricek.
Despite Werenski's injury serving as a significant setback, there is optimism that it might not be as severe as his previous one. The team's deep pool of talented defensemen aims to fill the void, alleviating concerns of a repeat of last year's injury-plagued season as they adapt to this unexpected challenge.
