Description: According to the Columbus Dispatch, Blue Jackets right wing Marian Gaborik needs surgery on his injured abdomen.
Insight: The operation should take place within the next 24 hours. Gaborik will probably need about 3-to-4 weeks to recover. Obviously, he'll be fine by the time training camp rolls around in September.
Description: Columbus goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky will take on the Los Angeles Kings Thursday night.
Insight: The 24-year-old is carrying the Columbus Blue Jackets on his back right now and has to be considered one of the main candidates for the Vezina Trophy. He went 9-2-3 with a 1.49 GAA and .951 SV% in March, and he is 6-2-0 with a 1.71 GAA and .943 SV% in April.
Description: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Adrian Aucoin is questionable for Wednesday's game against Anaheim with a lower-back injury.
Insight: Aucoin used to bring home 30-40 points per season, but not anymore. He has managed just four points this season after nine points a year ago in Phoenix and holds little fantasy value even when healthy.
Description: Columbus center Brandon Dubinsky (illness) is probable for Friday's game against St. Louis after practicing with the team on Thursday.
Insight: Dubinsky has played two games since returning from a lower-body injury and had a pair of assists on April 4. He has played just 21 games this season and produced one goal and 11 points.
Description: Columbus center Brandon Dubinsky (illness) will miss Tuesday's game, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Insight: Dubinsky has played two games since returning from a lower-body injury and had a pair of assists on April 4. He has played just 21 games this season and produced one goal and 11 points.
Description: Marian Gaborik tallied the game-winning goal in his first game with the Blue Jackets Thursday versus Nashville. He added a power-play assist and took four SOG in the game.
Insight: Gaborik should feel at home with Columbus. The team employs former Rangers Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon and Vinny Prospal.
Description: The Rangers have traded winger Marian Gaborik to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a sixth-round pick, Derek Brassard, Derek Dorset and John Moore.
Insight: Gaborik has just nine goals and 19 points in 35 games this season and things just weren't working with Rangers coach John Tortorella. He never really jelled with Brad Richards either. It's unclear who Gaborik will skate with, but Brassard had been playing on the top line with Mark Letestu and former Ranger Vinny Prospal.
Description: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Grant Clitsome is doubtful for Tuesday's game against the NY Islanders after taking a stick to the eye in Monday's game against the Rangers.
Insight: Clitsome scored 10 points (2 G, 8 A) in 34 games with the Jackets, so he possesses a little bit of offensive upside, but not enough to be fantasy worthy this season.
Description: Columbus goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 29 saves in 64 minutes in a 2-1 win over Anaheim Sunday.
Insight: The 24-year-old has shown the ability to rebound from poor outings at the end of this month. He allowed four goals in 10 minutes on March 23 at Nashville and followed it up with a shutout and bounced back from giving up five goals to Edmonton his last time out. He went 9-2-3 with a 1.49 GAA, a .950 SV% and three shutouts over 14 appearances in March.
Description: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Adrian Aucoin is questionable for Saturday's game against Anaheim with undisclosed injuries
Insight: Aucoin used to bring home 30-40 points per season, but not anymore. He managed just two goals and seven assists last season in Phoenix and holds little fantasy value. He's been held to two points in 25 games for Columbus and his -9 rating makes him valueless for fantasy owners.
Description: Columbus goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky will be back in the crease Thursday against Edmonton.
Insight: The 24-year-old bounced back from allowing four goals in 10 minutes to Nashville on Saturday to shut out Vancouver in a shootout loss Tuesday. He has been hotter than any other goaltender in the month of March with an 8-1-3 record, 1.23 GAA, .960 SV% and three shutouts.
Description: Columbus center Brandon Dubinsky (lower body) will not rejoin the team for the rest of its road trip. SOURCE: Aaron Portzline, Columbus Dispatch
Insight: That means Dubinsky (1 G, 8 A) will miss at least the next two games. He has only played 19 this season and wasn't a good fantasy option to begin with.
Description: Columbus center Brandon Dubinsky (lower body) is doubtful for Tuesday's game against Vancouver.
Insight: Dubinsky (1 G, 8 A) had a sprained left knee earlier this season which cost him 11 games. There are better fantasy options out there than one who can't stay on the ice.
Description: After a month of dominance in the crease, it all came crashing down for Blue Jackets netminder Sergei Bobrovsky in the first period Saturday against Nashville. He allowed four goals on 11 shots in his first 10 minutes and was removed from the game.
Insight: The 24-year-old had gone 8-0-2 with a 0.96 GAA and two shutouts in his first 10 appearances of March. However, including the third period on March 19, the Predators have scored six goals in their last 12 minutes against Bobrovsky. He still has an outstanding .927 SV% and 2.17 GAA on the season.
Description: Columbus left wing Nick Foligno lit the lamp twice in a 5-1 win over Calgary on Friday night.
Insight: Foligno had gone five games in a row without scoring prior to Friday's outburst. For the most part Foligno has underachieved this season, scoring just five goals in 31 games despite receiving over 16 minutes of ice time per game.
Description: Blue Jackets forward Derick Brassard's seemingly meaningless goal 12:41 into the third period ended up being the deciding score after Nashville scored two goals in the last 2:01.
Insight: Brassard, the sixth overall pick in 2006, has peaked at 17 goals and 47 points in his first five seasons. He has five goals and 16 points in 28 games this season.
Description: Blue Jackets left wing Vinny Prospal had three assists Tuesday to help Columbus extend its points streak to 11 games.
Insight: Prospal scored a goal in three straight games to start March after posting seven points over 12 games last month, but he had just one point in his last six games prior to Tuesday.
Description: Columbus center Derek MacKenzie is questionable for Tuesday's game against Nashville with an upper body injury, that has caused him to miss the team's last three games.
Insight: He has just three goals and one assist if 24 games and has shown little to interest fantasy owners. MacKenzie was just a 14-point scorer last season and has continued to show little fantasy value.
Description: Columbus netminder Sergei Bobrovsky blanked the Coyotes Saturday for his second shutout of the season.
Insight: The 24-year-old is playing out of his mind right now. Over his last three games, Bobrovsky has turned aside 115 of the 117 shots he's faced including all 39 on Saturday. The Coyotes couldn't even score in the shootout against him (0-for-2).
Description: Blue Jackets defenseman Nikita Nikitin is questionable for Saturday's game against Phoenix due to an undisclosed injury.
Insight: Nikitin had 32 points with 93 SOG in 54 games after joining Columbus last season, but has failed to continue to produce at that rate with just four points (2 G, 2A) in 23 games this season. He should not be in any fantasy lineups.
Description: Blue Jackets defenseman John Moore is probable for Saturday's game against Phoenix with a upper body injury.
Insight: The 2009 first-round pick (21st overall) has yet to show that he can perform at the NHL level and has little-to-no fantasy value with one point and a -4 rating in 13 games.
Description: Columbus center Derek MacKenzie is doubtful for Saturday's game against Phoenix with an upper body injury.
Insight: He has just three goals and one assist if 24 games and has shown little to interest fantasy owners. MacKenzie was just a 14-point scorer last season and has continued to show little fantasy value.
Description: Columbus center Artem Anisimov (lower body) is doubtful for Thursday's game against Chicago
Insight: He has six goals and eight points in 19 games this season, but just two points this month. His numbers are down from last season's ppg production with the Rangers.
Description: Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky had 37 saves on 38 shots Tuesday against Vancouver but lost in a shootout.
Insight: Bobrovsky has been the hottest goalie in the NHL this month. He won his first five games of March and has a 1.20 GAA in six games, including Tuesday. Five of his last six starts have gone to overtime.
Description: Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson had his third goal of the season Saturday versus Detroit.
Insight: We're still waiting for Atkinson to pick it up after missing a month with a high-ankle sprain. He has five points and 29 SOG in 12 games this season.
Description: Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky shut out Detroit with 30 saves Saturday afternoon. It was his first career shutout.
Insight: Bobrovsky has emerged this season as a mid-level fantasy goaltender. He has been especially hot in March, winning all four appearances with a 0.52 GAA.
Description: Columbus defenseman Fedor Tyutin is a game-time decision Thursday with an undisclosed injury, according to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch.
Insight: Tyutin has accumulated "bumps and bruises," according to Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards. The veteran has scored at the best pace of his career this season (0.52 ppg) despite playing the same top-two role as last season.
Description: Blue Jackets left wing Vinny Prospal extended his goals streak to three games Tuesday against the Oilers. He added an assist and took four SOG in the game.
Insight: Prospal has stepped up his game for lowly Columbus as of late and now has nine goals in 23 games. He only had 16 in 82 games last season.
Description: Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson (upper body) returned from injured reserve and scored a goal on four shots with a plus-1 rating Tuesday versus Edmonton.
Insight: Johnson had eight points in his last 13 games prior to the injury that had kept him out since Feb. 23. The only thing fantasy owners will have an issue with is his minus-9.
Description: Blue Jackets left wing Vinny Prospal had one of Columbus' two goals Sunday against Colorado.
Insight: Prospal has scored a goal in two straight games and leads the team with eight. With 12 points in 22 games, he is behind last season's pace of 55 points per 82 games.
Description: Columbus center Artem Anisimov (head) has been upgraded to probable for Friday's game against Chicago.
Insight: Anisimov practiced without limitations Thursday so it's looking like he'll be able to play Friday. He has four goals and six points in 15 games this season, down slightly from last season's ppg production with the Rangers.
Description: Columbus center Brandon Dubinsky (knee) could be back in the lineup as early as next week, Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards said. SOURCE: Columbus Dispatch
Insight: Dubinsky (1 G, 7 A) has a sprained left knee and hasn't played since Feb. 16.
Description: Columbus center Artem Anisimov (head) could play Friday, which is shocking considering he was taken off the ice on a stretcher after another player landed on his head last Thursday. SOURCE: Columbus Dispatch
Insight: Anisimov practiced without limitations Thursday so it's looking like he'll be able to play Friday. He has four goals and six points in 15 games this season, down slightly from last season's ppg production with the Rangers.
Description: Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski has a broken bone in his foot and is out indefinitely. SOURCE: Rob Mixer, BlueJackets.NHL.com
Insight: That leaves Columbus without its top two blueliners, as Jack Johnson is also on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Fedor Tyutin and Nikita Nikitin will see all the ice time they can handle, with Tyutin serving as a decent fantasy option in deep leagues.
Description: Columbus will start backup Steve Mason between the pipes Sunday versus Chicago.
Insight: Sergei Bobrovsky has played better recently so Mason hasn't had too many chances to get in net. He hasn't posted a GAA below 3.00 since his rookie season in 2008-09.
Description: Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky continued his recent sterling play with 21 saves on 23 chances Saturday against the Blues.
Insight: Bobrovsky is 1-4 over his last five games despite posting a 2.23 GAA in that span. The hot streak has helped him pull away from backup Steve Mason.
Description: Columbus center Artem Anisimov had to be stretchered off the ice in the second period Thursday after Kyle Quincey accidentally fell on his head. According to Craig Custance of ESPN The Magazine, Anisimov has been taken to Detroit Medical Center for evaluation but he was alert and never lost consciousness.
Insight: Anisimov lost his footing behind the Red Wings' net and went sliding into Quincey's legs. Quincey tried to brace his fall with his left elbow but ended up landing with all of his weight on Anisimov's head as the two went down to the ice.
Description: Columbus center Brandon Dubinsky has been placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Insight: Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards doesn't expect Dubinsky to miss an extended period of time. The forward has eight points in 15 games this season so he won't be difficult to replace.
Description: Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson (ankle sprain) is expected to return to action Thursday against the Red Wings. The winger hasn't played since Jan. 23 due to a high-ankle sprain.
Insight: Atkinson is a strong offensive player who scored 36 goals in 78 games in the AHL and NHL last season and 17 goals in 33 games in the AHL during the lockout. Columbus is 28th in the NHL with 2.19 goals per game so it can use all the offense it can get.
Description: New York Islanders' defenseman Radek Martinek has been activated from the injured reserve and could make his debut Tuesday against Ottawa.
Insight: Martinek scored 16 points (3 G, 13 A) in 64 games with the Islanders back in 2010, but missed most of last season while a member of Columbus.
Description: Columbus center Brandon Dubinsky hurt his knee Saturday in a loss to Phoenix and missed Monday's game with Anaheim. He's listed as is doubtful for Thursday's game against Detroit.
Insight: We are supposed to get an update sometime on Tuesday after he's re-examined. Dubinsky has a goal and seven assists this season with a lot of pemalty minutes (39).
Description: Columbus center Artem Anisimov is questionable for Thursday's game against Detroit with a bruised right foot.
Insight: Despite missing the last two games, Anisimov has four goals and two assists this season. He just needs to work on his plus/minus rating which currently sits at -4. He was solid last season with the Rangers, posting 36 points with a +12 rating.
Description: Columbus center Brandon Dubinsky hurt his knee Saturday in a loss to Phoenix.
Insight: Dubinsky (one goal, seven assists) exited the game in the second period and would not return. For now, consider the 26-year-old questionable for Monday's tilt at Anaheim.
Description: Columbus center Artem Anisimov will miss Saturday's game with Phoenix, according to beat writer Aaron Portzline. It's not believed to be a long-term problem.
Insight: Anisimov has four goals and two assists in 14 games. He just needs to work on his plus/minus rating which currently sits at -4. He was solid last season with the Rangers, posting 36 points with a +12 rating.
Description: Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky will draw the start in Columbus' game Friday against the Kings.
Insight: Allowing two goals in 59 minutes against Edmonton in his last start would be impressive if he faced more than 13 shots. Neither he nor Steve Mason offer much fantasy value.
Description: Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski has been downgraded to doubtful for Friday's game against Los Angeles, not because of his concussion problems that caused him to miss two games, but due to the birth of his child.
Insight: Wisniewski is a valuable fantasy defenseman who has averaged 39 points over the past two seasons, though he hasn't been on the plus side of the ratings ledger in three seasons.
Description: Blue Jackets defenseman John Moore is questionable for Friday's game against Los Angeles with a lower body injury.
Insight: Moore has missed the team's last four games. The 2009 first-round pick (21st overall) has yet to show that he can perform at the NHL level and has little fantasy value.
Description: Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's game against Edmonton, though indications are that he will play.
Insight: Wisniewski hasn't played since Feb. 2, but he practiced Saturday, without limitation. Another indication that he'll play is the team sent David Savard to the minors. Wisniewski has five points in nine games this season.
Description: Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski (concussion) is expected to return Sunday. SOURCE: Columbus Dispatch
Insight: Wisniewski hasn't played since Feb. 2 but he practiced Saturday without limitation. The blueliner said he is sore but symptom-free. Wisniewski has five points in nine games this season.
Description: In his first game after being activated from injured reserve, Blue Jackets defenseman Nikita Nikitin failed to tally a point but did have seven SOG.
Insight: Nikitin had 32 points with 93 SOG in 54 games after joining Columbus last season. He only has two points (zero goals) so far and he isn't going to post a good plus/minus but he does take a decent amount of shot on goal (20 this season). He's a good third or fourth defenseman on fantasy rosters.
Description: Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky will be back in goal Thursday against Calgary. He hasn't played since allowing three goals in 13 minutes on Jan. 31.
Insight: Steve Mason has started the last two games but didn't do much to distance himself from Bobrovsky. This will probably be a timeshare going forward, with both players offering minimal fantasy value.
Description: Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky has been handed a $10,000 fine for boarding Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi.
Insight: Kings center Mike Richards immediately instigated a fight with Dubinsky in retaliation. Dubinsky received five minutes for boarding, five minutes for fighting and 10 minutes for head butting. Dubinsky's 35 penalty minutes in 10 games are his only big contribution to fantasy teams this season; he has just four points and no goals with 13 shots on the season.
Description: Columbus will go with Steve Mason in net Tuesday against the Kings.
Insight: Mason has given up two goals in his last 105 minutes and appears to be the No. 1 goaltender for now. Sergei Bobrovsky hasn't played since Jan. 31, when he gave up three goals in 13 minutes to St. Louis before being yanked for Mason.
Description: Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski was knocked out of Saturday's game against the Red Wings after suffering a concussion.
Insight: His status is up in the air for Tuesday's game versus Los Angeles. Wisniewski has tallied two goals and three assists in nine games this season.
Description: Columbus center Artem Anisimov lit the lamp twice Saturday versus the Red Wings.
Insight: Saturday was Anisimov's first multi-goal game since November 11, 2010 against Buffalo. Moving from the Rangers to the Blue Jackets has hurt Anisimov's plus/minus (he's -1 this year after going +12 in 2011-12) but it's also given the 24-year-old more scoring opportunities (four goals in his first nine games).
Description: Columbus defenseman Nikita Nikitin is questionable for Saturday's game against Detroit with an undisclosed injury.
Insight: Nikitin posted 32 points last season and was used on the power play so has some low end fantasy value, though a -10 rating is a negative factor. he has a couple of assists in seven games this season.
Description: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Adrian Aucoin is questionable for Saturday's game against Detroit after missing the final period on Tuesday due to a lower body injury.
Insight: Aucoin used to bring home 30-40 points per season, but not anymore. He managed just two goals and seven assists last season in Phoenix and holds little fantasy value. He's been held scoreless in seven games for Columbus.
Description: The Blue Jackets will go with Sergei Bobrovsky in net Thursday against the Blues. SOURCE: Jeff Rimer, FOX Sports Ohio
Insight: Bobrovsky is 2-1-1 with a 2.40 GAA and 922 SV% but he is probably playing over his head. Thursday will be his fifth start to Steve Mason's three.
Description: Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson has a high-ankle sprain and could miss 2-3 more weeks. SOURCE: Aaron Portzline, Columbus Dispatch
Insight: Atkinson is a strong offensive player who scored 36 goals in 78 games in the AHL and NHL last season and 17 goals in 33 games in the AHL during the lockout. However, he's only 5-foot-7 and might have trouble staying healthy.
Description: Columbus goalie Steve Mason will get another chance on Tuesday night against Minnesota.
Insight: Mason lost his starting spot to Sergei Bobrovsky and his two starts to date haven't done much to convince coach Todd Richards to change the depth chart. He's 0-2 with a 4.07 GAA and a .879 save percentage. Minnesota is 2-2-1 with 13 goals this season.
Description: Steve Mason will start in net Saturday when the Blue Jackets meet Chicago.
Insight: Mason lost his only start this season when he allowed five goals on 42 shots against Phoenix. He shouldn't be utilized in any fantasy leagues Saturday against the undefeated Blackhawks.
Description: Columbus forward Cam Atkinson will likely miss at least a week after suffering a setback with his lower-body injury. SOURCE: Aaron Portzline, Columbus Dispatch
Insight: The diminutive Atkinson scored one goal on 10 shots in the Blue Jackets' first three games but he missed Thursday's game against Colorado.
Description: Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards plans to go with Sergei Bobrovsky in net Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. SOURCE: Jeff Rimer, Fox Sports Ohio
Insight: Bobrovsky went 1-0-1 with a 2.31 GAA and .934 SV% in his first two starts and got a rest Wednesday while Steve Mason started against Phoenix. We don't expect Bobrovsky to continue to play at such a high level for very long.
Description: Columbus is expected to go with Steve Mason in net on Wednesday. SOURCE: Shawn Mitchell, Columbus Dispatch
Insight: Sergei Bobrovsky started the first two games and went 1-0-1 with a .934 SV% and 2.31 GAA but the Blue Jackets have a back-to-back starting tonight. After a 33-win rookie season in which he had a 2.29 GAA and .916 SV%, Mason has a GAA over 3.00 and a SV% right around .900 the last three seasons.
Description: With a back-to-back coming up on Wednesday and Thursday, Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards said backup goaltender Steve Mason will start one of them.
Insight: Starter Sergei Bobrovsky has gone 1-0-1 with a .934 SV% and 2.31 GAA in the first two games this season.
Description: Columbus forward Cam Atkinson didn't skate Wednesday due to a "minor lower-body issue." He is questionable for Saturday's season opener against the Predators. SOURCE: Columbus Dispatch
Insight: "I wouldn't say (I'm) concerned," Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards said. "I guess there's possibilities in anything, whether he's in or he's out. But right now Im not concerned." The only reason Atkinson would miss Saturday's game is because the team is taking precautions with a condensed 48-game schedule ahead. Atkinson is expected to skate on Columbus' top line.
Description: Blue Jackets winger Rick Nash is not close to being traded, Columbus GM Scott Howson said Friday, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Nash requested a trade back in January.
Insight: The New York Rangers, Philadelphia, San Jose, Carolina, Toronto and Ottawa are believed to be in the mix for Nash. Nash submitted a list of teams he would waive his no-trade clause for, but Howson has not been working off Nash's list. It would be a surprise if Nash is traded during tonight's NHL Draft.
