The Blue Jackets listed star defenseman Zach Werenski in the projected lineup alongside Denton Mateychuk against the Buffalo Sabres in a social media post on Jan. 3.
He was activated from the injured reserve hours earlier, missing the past four games due to a right-ankle injury he sustained against the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 20.
Before his injury, Werenski scored multiple goals in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. He was named to the U.S. men’s hockey team on Jan. 2 ahead of the Milan Cortina Winter Games in February.
Corresponding with the move, the Blue Jackets’ emergency recall of defenseman Dysin Mayo has been converted to a regular recall.
This story was updated to include new information.