Columbus Blue Jackets Defenseman Out For Eight Weeks

The Columbus Blue Jackets will be without Dean Kukan for a notable amount of time. The 28-year-old defenseman has a wrist fracture and will be out of action for the next eight weeks. In response to this, the Blue Jackets have called up Gavin Bayreuther.

Bayreuther's back! 🎉

The #CBJ place D Dean Kukan on IR and recall D Gavin Bayreuther from @TheAHL's @monstershockey 📝⬇️https://t.co/lUe2l9uBVX
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 26, 2021

Kukan has played two games with the Blue Jackets this season. His role with the team grew last season, as he suited up in 35 games, which was a career high. In them, he scored a goal and recorded five points.

Although Kukan is not a top-pairing defenseman, the Blue Jackets certainly will miss him in their lineup. They lost multiple defensemen since last season and need as much help on the backend as possible because of it.

This is a good chance for Bayreuther to show the Blue Jackets what he's capable of. The 27-year-old was selected by the Seattle Kraken in this summer's Expansion Draft, but the team opted not to sign him. He would then re-sign with the Blue Jackets. In nine games with them last season, he scored a goal.