The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today that Forward Nathan Horton will miss six weeks after having abdominal surgery this morning. The 28 year old Horton has played in 36 games this season, scoring five goals and totalling 19 points.
While missing the first half of the season due to off-season shoulder surgery, Horton came back and made an immediate impact, scoring in his first game back. Some argue that the contract he signed, a seven year, 37.1 million contract has not been lived up to. But many CBJ fans are giving him a pass, citing that the Blue Jackets knew what they were getting into when they signed Horton to the contract, knowing he needed surgery. All the Jackets are saying at this point is that he had abdominal surgery, without really going into too much further detail.
Should the Jackets make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, Nathan would be ready to play again. Columbus fans are very optimistic that the team can make it to the finals. All fans need to refer to are the LA Kings, who in 2012, sneaking into the playoffs with the 8th seed, proceeded to dominate all comers, taking home the franchise's first Stanley Cup.
Columbus fans have faith. The "We Are The 5th Line" movement is strong, and many fans have adopted the motto "Why Not Us?"