"Blue Jackets center Mark Letestu is slated to have a pin removed from his fractured right hand on Friday and could return to the lineup as soon as next week.

As many as three banged-up Blue Jackets could be back on the active roster next week. James Wisniewski (fractured ankle) and Nikita Nikitin (knee) are also close to being activated from injured reserve.

"They should all come back around the same time," Blue Jackets interim coach Todd Richards said. "They're all about a week away. Hopefully Valentine's Day will be a good day for us.""