from Craig Merz at the CBJ website,
Jakub Voracek said Monday that his chances of playing again this season with the Columbus Blue Jackets are "very slim."
The 33-year-old forward sustained a concussion Nov. 4 at the 2022 NHL Global Series in Tampere Finland, when he was hit below the nose with a high stick from Dryden Hunt of the Colorado Avalanche. He has not played since.
"After talking to many people and many doctors we came to the conclusion that as of right now, I'm not capable of coming back, I won't be coming back anytime soon," Voracek said. "Obviously, I'm going to make my best efforts to do that (return) but it might be a long process and as of now I don't see myself playing in the near future.
"I had a lot of head injuries in the past and that's something I've got to think about and be smart about and that's where I stand right now."
Voracek said he is not contemplating retirement at this point. He is signed through the 2023-24 season.
"If I'm going to be medically cleared, I'm going to try. We'll see about that," he said. "And retirement? I can't retire, I'm still under contract. I would like to finish it off. If I'm going to be able to, I'll be happy about that. If I won't be, that's going to be up to doctors.
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