Danforth (shoulder) has begun skating, but it still seems unlikely he'll be able to play again this season, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.
The 29-year-old winger landed on injured reserve in late October after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum, and at the time it was thought he would be lost for the season. Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen didn't offer a clear answer Thursday when asked if Danforth might return before the team's regular-season finale in April, however, potentially opening the door for him to see some action before the summer.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Undergoing surgery
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Danforth is expected to be sidelined for six months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum Monday, Blue Jackets team reporter Jeff Svoboda reports. The 29-year-old winger has been placed on injured reserve.
This is a major blow for Danforth, who looked like he was going to be an everyday player for the Blue Jackets this season after picking up 10 goals and 14 points through 45 games with Columbus as a 28-year-old rookie in 2021-22. The Jackets will almost certainly need to make the playoffs in order for Danforth to have a chance to return this campaign.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Out indefinitely
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Danforth (upper body) is out indefinitely, Blue Jackets team reporter Jeff Svoboda reports.
Danforth was unavailable to play Sunday against the Rangers after being injured in Saturday's contest versus Pittsburgh. It's unclear at this time how long he will be out for, but he should not be expected to play Tuesday when the Blue Jackets host the Coyotes,.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Not playing against Rangers
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Danforth (upper body) won't play Sunday versus the Rangers, Blue Jackets team reporter Jeff Svoboda reports.
Danforth was injured in Saturday's game against Pittsburgh. Liam Foudy will be inserted into the lineup and make his season debut. Consider Danforth day-to-day for now.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Injured Saturday
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Danforth (upper body) will not return to Saturday's game against the Penguins.
Danforth saw just 4:46 of ice time before leaving the contest. The 29-year-old forward had a goal in each of his previous two games. He won't have much time to heal as the Blue Jackets are back in action Sunday against the Rangers.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Notches game-tying tally
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Danforth scored in the third period Thursday, helping the Blue Jackets to a 5-3 victory over the Predators.
Danforth, who opened the campaign with a minus-4 rating against the Hurricanes on Oct. 12, has put his skill on display during the Blue Jackets' past five performances. The 29-year-old right winger's third-period goal Thursday tied the score at 3-3. It was his second goal in two games and his third point in four outings. Danforth, who scored 10 goals in 45 games as a rookie last season, appears to be earning a more defined role as a sophomore.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Delivers on one shot
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Danforth scored to spark the Blue Jackets' come-from-behind 4-3 overtime victory over the Canucks on Tuesday.
Danforth showed off his hand-eye coordination by swatting an airborne puck into the net for his first goal of the season Tuesday cutting the Vancouver lead to 2-1. The comeback commenced on Danforth's lone shot on goal, and the Blue Jackets eventually earned their first win of the season over the still-winless Canucks.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Practicing on top line Friday
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Danforth is practicing on the top line with Johnny Gaudreau and Boone Jenner, according to Blue Jackets team reporter Jeff Svoboda.
Danforth will get the first shot to replace the injured Patrik Laine on the top line, as Laine is out 3-4 weeks with an elbow sprain. Danforth had 10 goals and 14 points in 45 games with the Blue Jackets last season, and if he is able to click with Jenner and Gaudreau, his fantasy value over the next few weeks could skyrocket.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Notches first power-play point
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Danforth logged a power-play assist and two shots on goal in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Sharks.
Danforth set up Jack Roslovic's first of two goals in the third period. This was Danforth's first power-play point in his career. He's picked up 13 points, 64 shots on net, 82 hits and a minus-2 rating through 40 contests in his first NHL campaign.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Manages assist in loss
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Danforth notched an assist, two hits and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Ducks.
Danforth continues to provide steady play in a bottom-six role. The winger has four goals and an assist in his last nine appearances. For the season, the 29-year-old has racked up 12 points, 62 shots on net, 81 hits and a minus-2 rating in 39 appearances in his first taste of NHL action.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Returning to action against Sens
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Danforth (lower body) will be back in the lineup versus Ottawa on Wednesday, Blue Jackets team reporter Jeff Svoboda reports.
Danforth returns to action following a two-game stint on the sidelined due to his lower-body issue. Prior to his absence, the 29-year-old winger managed just one goal in his last seven contests while averaging 12:26 of ice time. Even with Danforth back on the ice, he is likely to be limited to a bottom-six role.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Out again Sunday
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Danforth (lower body) will not play Sunday against the Golden Knights, Blue Jackets team reporter Jeff Svoboda reports.
Danforth will miss his second game with the lower-body issue. His next chance to return will come Wednesday on the road in Ottawa.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Not playing Friday
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Danforth (lower body) will not be available Friday against Minnesota, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.
Danforth was injured Thursday against the Islanders and will miss at least one game as a result. The 28-year-old rookie has seven points through 23 games on the year. His next chance to play will be Sunday against Vegas.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Questionable to return
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Danforth (lower body) is questionable to return to Thursday's game versus the islanders.
Danforth was injured early in the first period and couldn't put weight on his right leg, per Blue Jackets team reporter Jeff Svoboda. If he doesn't return to this contest, his next chance to play is Friday versus the Wild, though the quick turnaround makes it iffy at best if he'll be able to suit up for that game.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Inks two-year extension
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Danforth finalized a two-year, $1.95 million contract extension with Columbus on Tuesday.
Danforth has averaged 11:29 of ice time, delivered 51 hits, blocked eight shots, lit the lamp five times and distributed two assists over 22 games this season. The 28-year-old initially signed with the Columbus organization in March to a one-year deal and his new contract extends him through 2023-24.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Activated off IR
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Danforth (knee) was activated off injured reserve Saturday.
Danforth has missed the last 19 games while dealing with a sprained MCL. The 28-year-old has averaged 11:00 of ice time and lit the lamp once over his last five appearances. Trey Fix-Wolansky was reassigned to the AHL in a corresponding move the same day.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Returns to practice
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Danforth (knee) practiced Tuesday, Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reports.
Danforth has missed the last 14 games since being placed on injured reserve due to a sprained MCL on Dec. 31. The 28-year-old will not play in Tuesday's game against Washington but is nearing return, Hedger adds. Danforth has recorded four points over 13 appearances this season.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Lands on IR
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Danforth suffered a sprained MCL on Thursday and is expected to miss six weeks. He was placed on injured reserve.
Danforth has two goals and four points through 12 games as a rookie this season. He should be back in action sometime in February. Yegor Chinakhov will likely see more playing time in the team's bottom six as a result.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: Gets on scoresheet Thursday
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Danforth scored a goal on three shots and added two hits in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Oilers.
Danforth's tally gave the Blue Jackets a slim chance at a comeback, but they couldn't build momentum. The 28-year-old snapped a four-game point drought with the tally. He's up to four points, 20 shots, 28 hits and a plus-1 rating in 12 games, mainly in a fourth-line role.
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Blue Jackets' Justin Danforth: First goal comes in second game
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Danforth scored a goal on four shots in Thursday's 5-4 shootout win over the Coyotes.
Danforth gave the Blue Jackets their first lead of the contest at 17:34 of the second period, though the lead was short-lived when Lawson Crouse answered before the intermission. The 28-year-old Danforth has had a long path to the NHL, but it took him just two games to get his first goal in the league. He's added six shots on net and seven hits while playing in a fourth-line role.
