Blue Jackets Activate Damon Severson for Season Debut

Overview

• The Blue Jackets activated Damon Severson, which on Friday allows him to make his season debut at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• Severson missed the end of last season after a shoulder injury and underwent surgery in March before missing Columbus’s first games of the current campaign.
• Coaches and teammates expect Severson to rejoin the top defensive pairing with Norris-winner Zach Werenski, restoring a right-left shot combination that helps break the puck out and fuel offense from the back end.
• His activation pushes Denton Mateychuk to the second pairing, moves Emil Andrae to the third pairing, and leaves Jake Christiansen as the likely depth option or odd man out.
• At 32 and in the fourth year of an eight-year, $50 million deal, Severson’s availability eases short-term depth pressure while Ivan Provorov and Dante Fabbro remain out week-to-week and helps Columbus pursue a strong start during a heavy October schedule.