The Columbus Blue Jackets are shutting down Zach Werenski for the remainder of the regular season as their top defender sustained a torn labrum and separated shoulder Thursday night.
Werenski left during the first period of Columbus’ win over the Philadelphia Flyers after he went into the boards awkwardly following a missed check on Travis Konecny.
The 25-year-old Werenski, who was drafted eighth overall by Columbus in 2015, recorded three goals and five assists in 13 games this year while averaging 23:36 minutes of ice time.
Columbus also placed defenceman Nick Blankenburg plus forwards Sean Kuraly and Jakub Voracek on injured reserve Friday.
Both Kuraly and Voracek are out with unspecified upper-body injuries. Blankenburg is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks due to a fractured ankle and high ankle sprain.
The Blue Jackets are last in the Eastern Conference with a 4-9-0 record.
Werenski is in the first season of an eight-year, $57.5-million contract and has a cap hit of $9.5 million.