Blue Jackets announce they've suspended forward Gregory Hofmann
In a bit of strange news on Monday evening, the Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they've suspended forward Gregory Hofmann for failing to return to the club following a leave of absence for personal reasons.
Hofmann was in communication with the Blue Jackets and has decided that he will not return to the team this season according to General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a press release.
"Gregory was given permission by the club to step away for personal reasons and informed us today that because of those reasons he has decided not to return," said Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen. "Obviously, we are disappointed, but we have no other recourse than to suspend him."
Hofmann, 29, was playing in his first NHL season after spending the last twelve in the National League, Switzerland's top division. In 24 games for the Blue Jackets, Hofmann has seven points (two goals, five assists), eight penalty minutes and is a plus-six.
His rights were traded to the Blue Jackets in early-February 2021 from the Carolina Hurricanes who drafted him in 2011. In June, he signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with Columbus. Given the news today, it wouldn't be shocking to see him being placed on unconditional waivers on Tuesday afternoon.
It's odd that Hofmann decided not to return to the Blue Jackets, but whatever the reason may be, we all hope that he is doing well.
The #CBJ have suspended forward Gregory Hofmann, GM Jarmo Kekalainen announced today.https://t.co/TXOHlxT5nA— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 10, 2022
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Patrick Maroon | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Lukas Reichel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Travis Konecny | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Anze Kopitar | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Quinton Byfield | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Noah Cates | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Sean Couturier | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Marcus Johansson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Adrian Kempe | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Matvei Michkov | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Martin Pospisil | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Kevin Rooney | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Igor Sharangovich | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Carter Verhaeghe | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Rasmus Andersson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Matthew Boldy | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Bobby Brink | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Kevin Fiala | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Tyson Foerster | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nazem Kadri | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 20 | 17 | 3 | - | 34 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||