So the young defenseman is himself on the move, to Syracuse, N.Y., for a temporary taste of the minor leagues.

The Blue Jackets yesterday demoted Russell to the Syracuse Crunch, their top affiliate in the American Hockey League. He had been a healthy scratch the past three games.

"He was good with (the demotion)," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "He wants to play. He knows he needs to play.

"He has the skills to move the puck out of trouble. We just want to see him do it on a consistent basis."

Russell was told by general manager Scott Howson that he'll stay with the Crunch for games Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. After that, a decision will be made to recall him.

"It's never great for a young player not to play," Howson said. "We told him it's a temporary stay. Go have fun playing hockey."

Russell made the Blue Jackets out of training camp last fall. He played 67 games and spent the season in Columbus.

This summer, the Blue Jackets acquired three new defensemen, meaning Russell's spot was not assured.

"He was very good in the exhibition season," Hitchcock said. "And very good in the first game of the season (in Dallas).

"We need him to get back to that point."

In five games, Russell has no goals, one assist and a minus-1 rating.

This will be Russell's first taste of the minor leagues.

Leclaire update

Goaltender Pascal Leclaire suffered an ankle injury Saturday in Minnesota and will not play tonight against the Anaheim Ducks.

How long he'll be out is to be determined, Howson said.

Leclaire had a magnetic resonance imaging test Sunday, but Howson would not reveal the results last night until he could speak with team doctors, likely today.

The ankle has bothered Leclaire since he tweaked it in a preseason game against Minnesota on Oct. 4. He took four days off, and was able to play in the season opener six days later, but hasn't been 100 percent since.

"It's something we want to get to the bottom of," Leclaire said.

Leclaire has had a long line of injuries throughout his career, never playing more than 54 games in a season at any level.

LaCosta recalled

Goaltender Dan LaCosta was recalled from Syracuse to take Russell's spot on the roster. He'll serve as Fredrik Norrena's backup against the Ducks.

aportzline@dispatch.com