Blue Jackets will have to make playoff push without Damon Severson

The Blue Jackets have announced that defenseman Damon Severson underwent successful surgery April 2 to repair an injured shoulder and will miss the rest of the season.

He left with 8:21 remaining after sustaining an upper-body injury in the third period of a 2-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on March 26 at Bell Centre in Montreal.

Severson had lined up Canadiens forward Zachary Bolduc for a shoulder-to-shoulder hit in the left-wing corner of the Blue Jackets' zone. After he made contact, Severson immediately recoiled. He left the ice shortly afterward for medical treatment and never returned.

Per Natural Stat Trick, Severson had played almost even amounts with Ivan Provorov on the second pairing and Zach Werenski on the top pairing this season. Severson had filled roles with the second power-play group and first penalty-killing unit.

He had eight goals and 24 assists for a total of 32 points and a career-best +18 rating, his best season since coming over to the Blue Jackets as part of a sign-and-trade pact on June 29, 2023, with the New Jersey Devils. The deal he signed was for eight years and $50 million.

Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at[email protected] and@BrianHedger.bsky.social