COLUMBUS, OHIO -- Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nathan Horton underwent surgery this morning to repair an abdominal injury, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. He is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks.

Horton, 28, has scored five goals and dished out 14 assists for 19 points in 36 games played this season, his first with the Blue Jackets. The 6-2, 229-pound forward has tallied 203-218-421 and a +54 plus/minus rating in 627 career NHL games with Columbus, Boston and Florida. He was the Panthers’ first pick, third overall, at the 2003 NHL Draft.