Is Nathan Horton's career over?
http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/...ts-horton.html
"SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Blue Jackets aren’t ready to move on without injured right wing Nathan Horton just yet. But optimism is fading that Horton will be able to play this season, and there’s growing concern that the 29-year-old’s career might be finished.
Horton, who signed a seven-year, $37.1 million free-agent contract with the Blue Jackets in the summer of 2013, has been diagnosed with “degeneration” of the entire lumbar region of his spine, or the lower back, sources told The Dispatch.
Surgery has not been scheduled or ruled out, but it is viewed as a last resort, sources said. It’s a delicate procedure, with no guarantee of relief.
“Nathan is a frustrated kid right now,” said his agent, Paul Krepelka. “This is normally a really easygoing guy, a happy guy, but he’s just so frustrated by all of this.
“He signed with Columbus to make an impact, to play a big role on a team that’s on the rise. He was so excited about doing it. The fact that he hasn’t been able to make any meaningful contributions is extremely frustrating to him.”
While the Blue Jackets are preparing for three games in California, Horton is resting in Columbus, as he has been for weeks. He has not been available for comment.
“He’s going to rest it and see if it responds,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said.
Horton has been troubled by a sore lower back for several seasons, sources said, but it became significantly worse during the offseason. Kekalainen said Horton experienced extreme discomfort while jogging in Florida this summer.
“He’s in constant pain,” Krepelka said.
The Blue Jackets will be covered by insurance for most of Horton’s salary — $6 million this season — once he misses the club’s 21st game of the season on Nov. 25. Future seasons would work the same.
Horton could be placed on the long-term injured reserve list if the Blue Jackets need space under the NHL salary cap, but that’s not yet an issue. The Blue Jackets are $7.18 million under the cap, according to CapGeek.com.
The bigger issue is on the ice and in the dressing room for the Blue Jackets. Horton was signed to be a big presence on the right side. The Blue Jackets expected him to play with left wing Boone Jenner and center Ryan Johansen on what they called the “jumbo” line.
Horton also is the only player in the room with a Stanley Cup ring, having won it in 2011 with the Boston Bruins.
Kekalainen has acknowledged making calls to several other general managers to test the waters about obtaining a replacement for Horton. Kekalainen is likely to be bolder as the season moves along, when some clubs have drifted out of playoff contention and are more amenable to trading top-flight players.
The Blue Jackets are without three players projected to be among their top six forwards. In addition to Horton, center Brandon Dubinsky (abdominal surgery) and Jenner (broken hand) are expected to be out at least another month.
But those injuries seem minor compared to Horton’s situation.
He would be the most prominent NHL player since New York Islanders legend Mike Bossy to retire at such an early age because of a back ailment. Bossy was 30 when, after taking a year off to rest his back, he called it quits in 1988."
10 Team, Points Only, Cash League
25 Man Roster (no position), top 20 point getters count at end of month
Keep 20/25 at seasons end, Cut 5 to FA for redrafting
Goalie points W=2pt L=-1pt SHO=2pt
Stamkos, Tavares, Eichel, Mercer, JRobertson, RThomas, Kucherov, Nugent-Hopkins, Tuch, KConnor, Necas, Point, Konecny, SJarvis, Cozenz, Morrissey, Bouchard, Josi, Novak, Tolvanen, Peterka, Brink
G- Vasilevskiy, Sorokin, Oettinger
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