The Lake Erie Monsters have found themselves shorthanded in recent days after a string of call-ups, injuries and suspensions. So rather than take the traditional route and sign some replacement bodies from the lower minor leagues, the Monsters have instead decided to bring back the Ghosts of Blue Jackets Past.
On Wednesday, the Monsters signed Manny Malhotra to a 25-game professional tryout contract. Malhotra played that same night in a 4-2 loss to the Iowa Wild, centering a line with grinders Brett Gallant and Trent Vogelhuber on his wings.