Damon Severson's Season Is Over, and Columbus Is Reeling Without Him

The Columbus Blue Jackets just lost one of their most important defensemen for the rest of the season. Damon Severson underwent shoulder surgery on Thursday after a hit left him sidelined, and now the Jackets have to figure out how to survive the final stretch without him.

How It Happened

Severson took a shoulder-to-shoulder hit from Montreal's Zachary Bolduc during the third period on March 26. It looked bad at the time, and the injury turned out to be serious enough to require surgery. For a team fighting for its playoff life, losing a guy like Severson this late in the season is brutal timing.

What Columbus Is Losing

We're not talking about a depth piece here. Severson put up eight goals and 32 points across 71 games this season. More importantly, he's been one of the Jackets' workhorses on the back end. He's third on the team in average ice time at 21:04 per game. Among defensemen, he ranks second in both assists (24) and points. That's the kind of production and responsibility you can't just replace mid-season.

The Timing Is Devastating

The Blue Jackets are right in the thick of the wild-card hunt in the Eastern Conference, but they're struggling. Columbus has lost five straight and is currently tied with Detroit and Ottawa for the second wild-card spot. With only six games remaining, they can't afford to lose a player of Severson's caliber. Every point matters now, and every shift he would have played matters.

The Jackets have to find a way to stay competitive in these final games without him. It's a tough blow for a team that was banking on their entire roster down the stretch.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.