Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski to return against Sabres, Brendan Smith placed on IR

One of the league’s top blueliners is set to return to the ice.

When speaking to the media, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski revealed that he will be back in the lineup on Saturday afternoon when the Blue Jackets go up against the Buffalo Sabres.

General manager Don Waddell also revealed that defenseman Brendan Smith has been placed on injured reserve. According to The Hockey Writers’ Mark Scheig, Waddell stated that Smith is going to be out week-to-week.

Werenski has been out of action since blocking a shot against the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 20. The American blueliner was hit by a shot from Ducks forward Troy Terry late in the third period of a game that ended with the Ducks coming away with a 4-3 victory.

The 28-year-old was listed as day-to-day following the injury. He had been playing very well before getting hurt. He had points in five straight games, including a goal and an assist against Anaheim. Werenski notched 10 points over that span as well.

Columbus had done rather well in the absence of their star defender, winning three games in a row before falling to the New Jersey Devils on New Year’s Eve.

In 35 games, the Grosse Pointe, Mich. native has scored 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points. He sits second in the NHL in goals and points by a blueliner, trailing Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar in defensive scoring.

Smith suffered a lower-body injury late last month, keeping him out of Wednesday’s game against the Devils. After starting the season with the Blue Jackets’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, the 36-year-old was called up in late November and has been with the big club ever since. In 15 games, he has registered two assists.

Per the league’s IR rules, Smith is ineligible to return to the lineup until Jan. 8, when Columbus visits the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Blue Jackets (17-16-6) are last in the Eastern Conference, six points back of the last Wild Card spot.