Blue Jackets Blue Line Decimated: Provorov, Fabbro, Severson Out Week-to-Week

The Columbus Blue Jackets are apparently running a buy-one-get-three-free special on the injured reserve. According to Daily Faceoff, defensemen Ivan Provorov, Dante Fabbro, and Damon Severson are all out week-to-week, while forward Isac Lundestrom is sidelined month-to-month.

Losing one top-four defenseman is a headache. Losing three at the exact same time is the kind of roster crisis that forces a general manager to start looking at the local beer league for emergency call-ups.

The timing is objectively hilarious if you ignore the actual human suffering. Columbus was just starting to look like a functional hockey team, coming off a 4-0 shutout over Pittsburgh and a 4-2 win against Detroit.

Now, the blue line is completely gutted. Provorov, Fabbro, and Severson eat massive minutes, and trying to replace that production internally is going to turn their defensive zone into a shooting gallery. Anyone looking at the over for shots on goal against Columbus might want to pay attention.

The Jackets have to figure out a patch job immediately with Buffalo coming to town tonight and Utah visiting on October 3. If they survive this stretch without giving up five goals a night, whoever is playing defense deserves a raise.