"Tonight's game in Nationwide Arena was to mark the return of goaltender Pascal Leclaire, the Blue Jackets' first-round pick in 2001, for a New Year's Eve game against the Ottawa Senators.

But Leclaire, whose career has been derailed by numerous injuries, is out again because of a lower body injury and will not make the trip. He missed last year's meeting between the clubs because of an upper body injury.

"It's too bad," Leclaire said. "It would have been nice to come back and see some friends, see the city and see the building again. But it will happen eventually."

Leclaire was traded to Ottawa along with a second-round draft pick at the 2009 trade deadline for center Antoine Vermette. So far, the deal looks like a win for the Blue Jackets, perhaps the best in three years under general manager Scott Howson.

In 135 games with the Blue Jackets, entering last night's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vermette had 43 goals, 54 assists and a plus-11 rating. Meanwhile, Leclaire has played in just 48 regular-season games the past 21 months. He's 16-21-3 with a 3.09 goals-against average and .894 save percentage.

The Senators hope the trade ends better than it has started from their perspective. With the second-round pick, they drafted promising Swedish goaltender Robin Lehner, who is playing in the American Hockey League and in the world junior championship."