Jackets' Leclaire to have surgery, out for regular season

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Pascal Leclaire will undergo ankle surgery Friday that will likely sideline him through the regular season.

General manager Scott Howson also said Tuesday that starting goalie Steve Mason will skip this weekend's YoungStars exhibition game in Montreal because of back spasms. Howson said Mason has been playing through back spasms the past two weeks and after meeting with medical staff decided it would be best to take the weekend off.

The Blue Jackets last week picked up goalie Wade Dubielewicz off waivers from the New York Islanders. He will back up Mason.

The 20-year-old Mason leads the NHL in goals-against average (1.91) and shutouts (six), while ranking second in save percentage (.932) and ninth in wins with a 17-10-1 record.