Prior to the 2010-2011 campaign, Columbus Blue Jackets left winger Kristian Huselius had never missed more than eight games in his eight previous NHL seasons. That streak came to an end last season when he was limited to just 39 games because of a high ankle sprain and consequent hip surgery.
Huselius was expected to make a full recovery from the April surgery and be ready for training camp when news came out on Wednesday that he had torn a pectoral muscle while weightlifting in his native Sweden. Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson said he expects Huselius to be sidelined for four to six months.
This is a monumental blow for the Union Blue, who planned on having the 32-year-old round out their top six, possibly penciled on a line with Rick Nash and newly acquired Jeff Carter. Now Howson is expected to scour what’s left of the free agent market for a ‘tweener winger, capable of playing and producing in a top six role.
Think Scottie Upshall. D’oh!
Names to keep in mind as possible stop-gaps include
Antti Miettinen, Vaclav Prospal, Sergei Samsonov, Cory Stillman, Marek Svatos (though there have to be concerns about his season-ending concussion).
Recently bought out New York Ranger Chris Drury and the quite-likely-soon-to-be-bought-out Wojtek Wolski could be other potential targets.
The Blue Jackets, who were 5-8 in the skills competetion last season, would welcome Wolski’s shootout prowess and at 25-years-old, he has the most potential for actually improving on last year’s numbers. Though, people have been hoping for that from the former first-round pick since his rookie season with Colorado.
None of the candidates are likely to match Huselius’ production, who is a shoe-in for 55+ points when healthy. The recent string of injuries also have to hurt the Osterhaninge, Sweden native’s bid for a new contract with the Blue Jackets, as this is the fourth and final year of his current deal that nets him a healthy $4.75 million annually.
Although Huselius’ loss is certainly not a welcome one, it could well benefit a number of youngsters who would have been long shots to make the club out of camp. Top prospect Ryan Johansen has a spot to lose and Howson has mentioned Maksim Mayorov as a player he envisions at the big club next season, but the injury could open the door for the likes of Cam Atkinson and Tomas Kubalik.
Atkinson, who scored 61 goals for Boston College over the past two season, put up 3-2-5 in a short five-game stint with Springfield Falcons after ending his college career. The 5-foot-8 winger then proceeded to tear up Blue Jackets Development Camp for a second straight year and certainly has the confidence to play in the league.
Kubalik, a fifth-round draft pick in 2008, had an excellent first professional season leading Springfield in scoring with 24-29-53 in 76 games. The lanky Czech (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) has vastly improved his skating ability in recent seasons and, as opposed to another Czech draft pick that the Blue Jackets sent to Philadelphia, isn’t afraid to use his size in the corners and digging in front of the net.
No matter how the Blue Jackets choose to address it, the loss of Huselius for up to six months is devastating. Nothing comes easy in Columbus, eh?
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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