Blue Jackets Open Season Without 3 Key Defensemen

The Columbus Blue Jackets begin their 2026-27 season facing significant lineup challenges, missing three top defensemen for the foreseeable future. Head coach Rick Bowness provided updates on Ivan Provorov, Damon Severson, and Dante Fabbro following the team's optional morning skate.

Ivan Provorov sustained a lower-body injury blocking a shot in the team's final preseason game against Detroit. Though he finished that game, he missed all practices leading up to Thursday. Initially termed "maintenance days" as tests were pending, the news proved difficult: Provorov is on injured reserve and will be out week-to-week.

This injury halts Provorov's consecutive games streak at 375. Thursday's opener will mark the first time in his NHL career he misses a game due to an injury unrelated to COVID-19. Bowness described Provorov as "heartbroken," noting the defenseman's warrior mentality and his deep desire to play.

Damon Severson and Dante Fabbro are also sidelined week-to-week. Severson is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and did not play in the preseason, though he is now skating. Fabbro is healing from a broken hand but is also skating, albeit still some time away from stick work.

The immediate impact sees a reshuffled blue line for the Blue Jackets' game against the Sabres. Carson Soucy will partner with Emil Andrae, who will play on the right side. Zach Werenski will be paired with Denton Mateychuk, and Jake Christiansen will play with Erik Gudbranson.

Facing the Sabres was already a difficult task, and the absence of Provorov, Severson, and Fabbro intensifies the challenge. Bowness acknowledged the need for adaptability, telling his defensemen that partners and left/right side assignments will change regularly.

The team also faces a potential cap crunch if injuries persist, possibly requiring moves to long-term injured reserve and necessitating difficult decisions to call up additional players.

This is far from an ideal start to the season for the Blue Jackets. The situation presents an early test of the team's resilience against adversity.

What This Means Near Term

The Blue Jackets will face the Sabres with a completely new defensive pairings. Carson Soucy will play alongside Emil Andrae. Soucy was signed after attending camp on a PTO, while Andrae was acquired in the Matthew Knies/Kirill Marchenko trade and will need to play on the right side.

The other defensive pairings will see Zach Werenski playing with Denton Mateychuk, and Jake Christiansen paired with Erik Gudbranson.

Playing against the Sabres was already expected to be a tough assignment, and the absence of Provorov, Severson, and Fabbro makes it considerably more difficult.

Bowness discussed the situation with his defensemen, outlining his expectations: "You’re not going to have the same partner going on every night... You’re not going to be on the left side every time. You’re going to be moved around. That’s the challenge we face."

An additional challenge arises if injuries continue to mount. The Blue Jackets might have to make tough decisions regarding long-term injured reserve (LTIR) and potentially call up extra players, requiring careful cap management.

This is undoubtedly an unwelcome start to the 2026-27 season for the Blue Jackets, offering an immediate test of how the team responds to early adversity.