The Columbus Blue Jackets are in a bind, with defenseman Patrik Laine expected to miss the team's next two games at the least.
The 25-year-old NHL player is dealing with an upper-body injury following a hit in the Blue Jackets' win over the Calgary Flames, 3-1, at the Nationwide Arena on Friday, October 20, ESPN reported. He is listed as day-to-day.
The following day, the NHL suspended Rasmus Andersson for four games without pay for charging the 25-year-old defenseman. He was assessed with a major penalty and game misconduct for elbowing in the incident with just 5 seconds left in regulation.
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It appears Andersson took exception to Laine's actions after spotting Laine aiming for an empty net with a few seconds to play.
"I think it's, overall, been awful ... pretty awful," Laine said. "Can't hit the net if my life depended on it. Can't make any plays. Can't win a faceoff. I just basically can't do anything right now, but that's why we're here (practicing)."
Laine managed to get back on his feet after the hit and left the ice as he made his way toward the Blue Jackets' locker room, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
The Blue Jackets have recalled Dmitri Voronkov from AHL Cleveland per a team release. The 23-year-old had a breakout season for the KHL's Ak Bars Kazan. He failed to make the cut and began the season on assignment to Cleveland.
With Laine out, Voronkov is expected to make his NHL debut on Tuesday, October 24, against the Anaheim Ducks.
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