The Columbus Blue Jackets are looking to claw their way out of the Eastern Conference basement, and on Thursday, they made a pair of roster moves that could help shift the momentum.
Forward Mason Marchment has been activated from injured reserve and is expected to rejoin the lineup tonight as Columbus hosts the Dallas Stars. Marchment has missed the last eight games after suffering an upper-body injury in a January 4 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The timing of his return couldn’t be better for a team still trying to find consistency.
Before the injury, Marchment had been one of the more productive forwards on the roster. Acquired just last month in a trade with the Seattle Kraken - a deal that cost the Blue Jackets a couple of draft picks - the 30-year-old winger wasted no time making an impact.
In his first seven games with Columbus, he tallied five goals and two assists. That kind of scoring punch is exactly what the Blue Jackets have been missing during his absence.
On the season, Marchment has posted nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points in 36 games, showing he can still contribute at both ends of the ice.
Columbus felt the sting of his absence immediately, dropping three straight games after he went down. But the team showed some resilience, bouncing back with three straight wins before falling to Ottawa on Tuesday. With Marchment back in the mix, the Blue Jackets are hoping to find some rhythm and string together more consistent efforts.
On the flip side, the team has placed defenseman Denton Mateychuk on injured reserve, retroactive to January 11. He suffered an upper-body injury in a game against the Utah Mammoth, and while there’s no set timeline for his return, NHL rules allow him to come back as soon as he’s healthy and a roster spot is available.
Mateychuk has quietly been one of the bright spots on the Blue Jackets’ blue line this season. The 20-year-old Winnipeg native has already set career highs in goals (8), assists (13), and points (21) through 44 games. His blend of poise and puck-moving ability has made him a key part of the team’s defensive core, and Columbus has managed a 3-1-0 record in his absence - a testament to their growing depth, but also a reminder of the impact he brings when healthy.
For a team in transition, these roster moves are more than just injury updates - they’re potential turning points. Getting Marchment back gives the Blue Jackets a proven scorer with a physical edge, while Mateychuk’s eventual return will further stabilize a young defensive group that’s shown flashes of promise.
The Blue Jackets still have a long road ahead if they want to climb out of the Eastern Conference cellar, but with players returning and others stepping up, the pieces are starting to come together. Tonight’s matchup against Dallas will be a good test - and a chance for Marchment to pick up right where he left off.