Blue Jackets suspend Gregory Hofmann after excused absence

Per Brian Hedger of the Columbus Dispatch, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Gregory Hofmann hasn't appeared on the ice for the club since Dec. 14 due to unspecified personal reasons. That situation took a different turn on Monday. 

"Gregory was given permission by the club to step away for personal reasons and informed us today that because of those reasons he has decided not to return," Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced in a released statement. "Obviously, we are disappointed, but we have no other recourse than to suspend him." 

Hofmann, 29, joined the Blue Jackets via a trade from the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 13 of last year. He signed a one-year deal with Columbus in June and had recorded two goals, five assists, eight penalty minutes, and a plus-six plus/minus rating across 24 games this season before his absence. 

Columbus sits at 16-16-1 overall and fifth in the Metropolitan Division coming off Saturday's 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils. The Blue Jackets next host the 12-18-5 Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday evening. 

As for Hofmann, his time in the NHL, let alone with the Blue Jackets, is understandably up in the air.