Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nathan Horton's career may be in jeopardy as the winger continues to struggle with a spine injury.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, Horton was diagnosed with degeneration of the entire lumbar region of his spine, placing a return to the ice in doubt for the Blue Jackets forward.
"Nathan is a frustrated kid right now," his agent, Paul Krepelka, told the publication. "This is normally a really easygoing guy, a happy guy, but he's just so frustrated by all of this. He signed with Columbus to make an impact, to play a big role on a team that's on the rise. He was so excited about doing it. The fact that he hasn't been able to make any meaningful contributions is just extremely frustrating to him."
Horton has been sidelined for the Blue Jackets' first five games this season and he reportedly hasn't ruled out surgery, but it is seen as a last resort and hasn't been scheduled.
Horton was limited to just 35 games last season and missed out on Columbus' trip to the playoffs that saw it get toppled by the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games after a gritty effort.
Horton, 29, notched four goals and 14 assists for 18 points in the 35 games for the Blue Jackets last season prior to being sidelined.
The Welland, Ontario native won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011, scoring eight goals and notching nine assists in 21 games during the playoff run. Horton signed a seven-year $37.1 million contract with the Blue Jackets in the 2013 offseason.
The Blue Jackets are off to a 3-2-0 start with six points thus far this season -- good enough for sixth in the Metropolitan Division - and will play again Thursday when they visit the Sharks in San Jose.
Horton has 142 goals and 153 assists in his 10-year career for a total of 295 points in the regular season and has added 15 tallies and 21 helpers for 36 postseason points.
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