Blue Jackets Lose Sean Monahan to Injury
Columbus center Sean Monahan was ruled out with a lower-body injury after exiting a game against the Buffalo Sabres.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Hockey
Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan was forced to exit in the second period of a game against the Buffalo Sabres after limping off following a blocked shot on the penalty kill. The team ruled him out with a lower-body injury.
Why it matters
Monahan is a veteran forward whose absence affects Columbus's depth as the team works through the early part of the season. The injury adds to the list of concerns for a roster that depends on consistent production from its top-six forwards.
Monahan logged 11:06 of ice time before exiting, and he entered the game with one goal and four assists in 14 games this season. Over 78 games for Columbus in 2025-26 he recorded 13 goals and 23 assists, but the severity of the injury and expected recovery time have not been disclosed.
The players
Sean Monahan
Sean Monahan is a veteran NHL center now in his 14th season, known for his offensive production over a long career.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are an NHL franchise based in Columbus, Ohio, competing in the Metropolitan Division.
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are an NHL franchise based in Buffalo, New York, and the opponent in the game where Monahan was injured.
The details
Monahan was injured while blocking a shot from Rasmus Dahlin on the penalty kill and limped to the bench after the play. He had earlier recorded an assist on Kent Johnson's first-period goal before leaving the game.
Timeline
November 6, 2026: Monahan exits the Blue Jackets-Sabres game in the second period with a lower-body injury.
Season Trajectory
Monahan's early-season pace of one goal and four assists in 14 games trails the production he posted across 78 games for Columbus in 2025-26, when he totaled 13 goals and 23 assists. The loss of a veteran forward at this stage of the season puts added weight on Columbus's depth as it measures its playoff positioning in the division.
Monahan's absence changes the lineup and ice-time distribution for Columbus until he is cleared to return, which affects fantasy rosters that count his production. Fans tracking the team should watch for an updated injury designation before the next scheduled game.
The takeaway
Injuries to depth forwards often expose how much a roster relies on its middle-six production, and Columbus will need to show it can absorb Monahan's minutes. Readers following the team should track the next injury update to gauge how long the absence will last.
Further reading
For more on the team's roster moves and season outlook, see Hockey coverage in Columbus.
