COLUMBUS, OHIO - The Columbus Blue Jackets have placed defenseman Rostislav Klesla on injured reserve and activated forward Jiri Novotny, club General Manager Scott Howson announced today. Klesla, who injured in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Colorado, was evaluated by team physicians from OhioHealth after the game and is expected to miss at least one week.

Klesla, who has collected one goal and five assists for six points with 23 penalty minutes and a +1 plus/minus rating in 23 games this season, was activated off injured reserve on February 3. He has missed 31 games due to injury this season after playing in all 82 games in 2007-08 and missing seven contests over the past two seasons. Columbus' first pick, fourth overall, in the 2000 Entry Draft, he has registered 36-76-112 and 441 penalty minutes in 433 career games with the Blue Jackets.

Novotny, who has been sidelined since January 3 and missed the past 15 games, has tallied 1-3-4 with four penalty minutes and a +6 plus/minus rating in 26 games this season. He has picked up 17-31-48 and 56 penalty minutes in 173 career games with Columbus, Washington and Buffalo.

The Blue Jackets return to action Friday when they host the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings. Face-off at Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio HD will begin with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m. The game will also broadcast live on the Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Blue Jackets Radio Network and flagship stations WBNS-AM, Sports Radio 1460 The Fan and WWCD-FM, CD101 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for 2008-09 regular season home games are on sale now at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, FOX Sports Ohio Blue Line at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, The Chiller Ice Rinks and all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers. Fans can purchase tickets by phone at (800) 745-3000 or online at www.BlueJackets.com and www.ticketmaster.com. For information on season tickets, mini-plans or group tickets, call (614) 246-PUCK or 800-NHL-COLS.

- CBJ -