Blue Jackets Open Season Without 3 Top Defensemen

Ivan Provorov will need to be a big impact both ways for Columbus this season. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Blue Jackets Open Season Without 3 Top Defensemen

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Mark Scheig | Last updated Oct 1, 2026 5:06 PM ET

The Columbus Blue Jackets got some tough news in advance of their 2026-27 season opener. They will be without three of their top defensemen not only Thursday night, but for the foreseeable future.

After their optional morning skate, head coach Rick Bowness shared updates on Ivan Provorov, Damon Severson and Dante Fabbro. It’s Provorov’s situation that was particularly tough for the team to hear.

Latest Injury Updates

Provorov blocked a shot during the Blue Jackets’ last preseason game in Detroit. While he didn’t miss the rest of that game, he hadn’t practiced all week leading into Thursday with the team labeling them as maintenance days as they awaited further tests.

The team got the worst kind of news they could hope for. Provorov was placed on injured reserve. He will be out week-to-week.

Provorov’s consecutive games streak will end at 375 games. Thursday will also mark the first time in his entire NHL career he’s had to miss a game due to injury not related to Covid.

Head coach Rick Bowness had one distinct word when describing Provorov’s injury.

“He’s a warrior,” Bowness said. “He’s just heartbroken that he’s not playing. It’s unreal. He would go to 20 doctors and just hopefully find one that would say you can play. It’s lower body, week-to-week and he’s heartbroken that he’s not playing.”

As for Severson and Fabbro, Bowness confirmed they are also both week to week. Severson is still getting back to 100% after offseason should surgery. He didn’t play in the preseason but is currently skating.

Fabbro is recovering from a broken bone in his hand. He is also skating at this point although he’s a little ways away from doing any stickwork and the like.

What This Means Near Term

The Blue Jackets will face the Sabres will a brand new set of defensemen. Carson Soucy will play with Emil Andrae. Soucy was signed after attending camp on a PTO. Meanwhile, Andrae was acquired in the Matthew Knies/Kirill Marchenko blockbuster trade. Andrae will need to play on the right side to boot.

As for the other expected pairs, Zach Werenski will play with Denton Mateychuk while Jake Christiansen will play with Erik Gudbranson.

Playing against the Sabres was already going to be a tough assignment. Now having to do that without Provorov, Severson and Fabbro only makes it that much more difficult.

Bowness talked with the defensemen and told them what he expects during this stretch.

“You’re not going to have the same partner going on every night,” Bowness said. “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.”

Another challenge is if injuries continue to pile up, the Blue Jackets may have to make some tough decisions being in LTIR. They may eventually have to find a way to call an extra body up. To do so, they’ll have to make the math work with the cap.

It’s definitely not an ideal start to the 2026-27 season for the Blue Jackets. It will provide an early test to see how the team responds to some early adversity.

This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.

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