The Columbus Blue Jackets have officially activated Patrik Laine, but buried in the press release is some less positive news. Justin Danforth is headed for surgery next Monday to repair a torn labrum. He is expected to make a full recovery in six months, meaning he’ll be out for most of the season, if not all of it.
Danforth, 29, was a great story of perseverance, working his way up through the ECHL, European leagues, and the AHL before making his NHL debut last season at the age of 28. He even scored ten goals and 14 points in 45 games and earned himself a full-time spot with the team this year. He was off to a good start too, with two goals and three points in his first five games, before being injured early in his sixth.
Now, facing a recovery period of six months, his career is in jeopardy once again. The undersized forward did sign a two-year, one-way contract this summer, but there’s no telling what his game will be like when he comes back from this long absence. Hopefully, he can go right back to the mix of in-your-face energy and skill that he had brought to this point, offering positional and playstyle versatility.
Layoffs this long can quickly turn into opportunities for other players though and with so many talented young forwards in the Blue Jackets system, there’s no guarantee that Danforth returns to an open spot. All he can do now is work on his rehab and try to come back with the same level of play that he left with.