Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson undergoes season-ending shoulder surgery

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season after undergoing successful shoulder surgery on Thursday.[1] The 31-year-old from Melville, Saskatchewan, suffered the injury during a game against the Montreal Canadiens on March 26. Club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced the news, confirming Severson’s absence for the stretch run.[1]

The procedure repairs damage from an upper-body issue that sidelined him immediately after the hit. Severson had been a key part of Columbus’s defensive core, logging heavy minutes all season. With the Blue Jackets fighting for a wild-card spot, his loss adds pressure to an already challenging playoff push.

The injury that changed everything

Severson went down in the third period of a 2-1 loss at Montreal’s Bell Centre. With 8:21 left, he lined up Canadiens forward Zachary Bolduc for what appeared to be a clean shoulder-to-shoulder hit in the left-wing corner of the Blue Jackets’ zone.[2] He recoiled instantly and headed to the locker room for evaluation, never returning to the ice.

Initial reports listed the injury as upper-body, with Severson considered week-to-week.[3] Further assessment in Columbus revealed the need for surgery. The timeline escalated quickly from hopeful return to season over, a tough blow as the team enters its final games.

This isn’t Severson’s first time battling back from injury. Over his NHL career spanning 855 games with New Jersey and Columbus, he’s shown resilience. Traded to the Blue Jackets in June 2023 on an eight-year, $50 million deal, he had been thriving before this setback.

The hit from Bolduc sparked no supplemental discipline, but it highlighted the physical toll of playoff-race hockey. Columbus coach noted the immediate impact, as Severson’s pairings with Ivan Provorov and Zach Werenski were disrupted right away.

Fans and analysts alike expressed disappointment online, with Reddit threads buzzing about recovery hopes.[4] The Blue Jackets return to Nationwide Arena on April 5 against Winnipeg, without their steady blueliner.

Severson’s standout 2025-26 campaign

Before the injury, Severson was having one of his best seasons since joining Columbus. In 71 games, he posted impressive numbers that underscored his value.

Here’s a breakdown of his stats:

• Goals: 8
• Assists: 24 (second among Blue Jackets defensemen)
• Points: 32 (second among Blue Jackets defensemen)
• Plus/minus: +18 (career high)
• Penalty minutes: 45
• Shots on goal: 93
• Power-play goals: 1
• Average ice time: 21:04 (third on the team)

He split time effectively, pairing with Provorov on the second unit and Werenski on the top line. Severson also contributed on the second power-play group and first penalty-kill unit, making him a versatile asset.

This marked his strongest year since the 2023 sign-and-trade from New Jersey. At 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds, his physical presence complemented Columbus’s rebuild under new voices.

Comparisons to past seasons show growth; his point total rivals peaks from his Devils days. Teammates leaned on his experience in tight games.

Major hit to Blue Jackets’ defense and playoff chase

Columbus sits tied with Detroit and Ottawa for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot, with just six games remaining. The team has dropped five straight, amplifying the urgency.

Severson’s absence leaves gaps in pairings and special teams. Werenski now shoulders more load, while younger defenders step up. The defense, already tested, faces a gauntlet including Winnipeg next.

In our Columbus Blue Jackets season outlook for 2025-26, we noted the roster refresh aimed at playoffs. Severson was central to that push alongside Zach Werenski and others.

Recent form underscores the stakes: losses pile up as rivals clinch. Check the latest NHL playoff watch for bubble team battles.

For more on the announcement, see the official Blue Jackets release.[1] Analysts call it a “huge blow,” per early reports.[5]

The front office must rally the group. With 88 points in the standings hunt, every shift counts now.

Recovery outlook and what’s next for Severson

Shoulder surgeries typically require 4-6 months for full return, positioning Severson for training camp. His history suggests a strong rebound.

Don Waddell emphasized the surgery’s success, focusing on long-term health. No complications reported so far.

Severson’s contract runs through 2031, securing his spot. Offseason prep will prioritize rehab.

Fans hope for a full recovery, echoing sentiments across social media. Next season could see him back stronger.

Columbus eyes free agency and drafts to bolster depth meantime.

The Blue Jackets’ final push tests depth without him. Playoffs remain in reach, but Severson’s void looms large. A wild-card berth would validate the season’s grit—what it means for the franchise hinges on these games. Recovery sets up bigger goals in 2026-27.