Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

Blue Jackets’ Isac Lundestrom activated off injured reserve

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Mike Gould | Last updated Jan 20, 2026 5:36 PM ET

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Tuesday afternoon that they have activated forward Isac Lundestrom off the injured reserve list.

Lundestrom, 26, has appeared in 35 games with the Blue Jackets this season, collecting five points (one goal, four assists). The Gallivare, Sweden product last suited up for a game on Dec. 22, a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings; he sustained a lower-body injury during a practice on Dec. 27 and subsequently missed 12 games.

The Blue Jackets originally signed Lundestrom to a two-year, $1.3-million AAV contract as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 6’1″ center previously played for the Anaheim Ducks, who elected not to tender him a qualifying offer as a pending RFA last summer.

Welcome back Lundy!

We've activated F Isac Lundeström off Injured Reserve.

CBJ x @OHHeartofitAll pic.twitter.com/Q69CTCze9H
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 20, 2026

The Ducks originally selected Lundestrom in the first round (No. 23 overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft. A product of the Lulea HF developmental system, Lundestrom made the jump to North America midway through his first post-draft season, appearing in his first 15 NHL games with the Ducks in 2018-19.

Lundestrom ultimately appeared in parts of seven seasons with the Ducks. His best production came in the 2021-22 season, during which he collected 16 goals and 29 points while averaging a career-high 15:29 of ice time in 80 games. However, the Ducks never qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs during his tenure.

Through 372 career games over eight NHL seasons split between Anaheim and Columbus, Lundestrom has collected 36 goals and 89 points. His current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2027, at which point he will again become an unrestricted free agent.

Lundestrom is expected to play on Tuesday night when the Blue Jackets take on the Ottawa Senators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. It’ll be his first game under head coach Rick Bowness, who replaced Dean Evason behind the bench for the Blue Jackets on Jan. 12.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: