Blue Jackets' Horton won't have back surgery but may reportedly miss start of regular season
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nathan Horton is dealing with a back injury, writes The Columbus Dispatch's Aaron Portzline, and there's good news and bad news.
Let's get the bad news out of the way first: Horton "may miss the early stages of the regular season," according to Portzline.
The good news:
#CBJ GM Jarmo Kekalainen said he's been assured that Horton's ailment will not require surgery. He's working directly w trainer Mike Vogt.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) September 18, 2014
While it was reported Wednesday that Horton will be limited in training camp (you can read details below), Portzline writes that "it's doubtful (Horton) takes part in training camp" at all.
The bottom line: Horton simply can't stay healthy. He played 36 games last season (scoring only five goals), and has played 80 or more games in a season once since 2008-09.
Horton, 29, is due to make $6 million this season and is under contract through 2019-20 with a cap hit of $5.3 million.