The injury-riddled Columbus Blue Jackets received some more lousy news Monday, as forward Cam Atkinson will require surgery on his fractured right foot and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks, according to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.
Atkinson, who will undergo surgery either Tuesday or Wednesday, was felled by a slap shot from Seth Jones in the first period of Saturday's tilt with the Philadelphia Flyers, but the 28-year-old remained in the game, logging heavy minutes (22:26) in the eventual shootout victory at Nationwide Arena.
Now, though, the Blue Jackets could be without Atkinson until February, with his foot injury further depleting a roster already decimated by injuries to defensemen Zach Werenski and Ryan Murray, as well as forwards Alexander Wennberg and Brandon Dubinsky.
That said, Atkinson has struggled this season following a terrific 2016-2017 campaign in which he set new career highs in goals (35), assists (27), and plus-minus (13). Through 32 games this year, Atkinson - a healthy scratch against the Arizona Coyotes earlier this month - has just six goals and seven assists, tying him with Nick Foligno for eighth on the team in points.
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