New Additions: F Charlie Coyle (from COL), F Miles Wood (from COL), F Isac Lundestrom (2yr x $1.3M AAV), D Christian Jaros (1yr x $775k), D Dysin Mayo (1yr x $775k AAV), D Daemon Hunt (1yr x $775k), F Hudson Fasching (1yr x $775k), G Ivan Fedotov (from PHI)

Subtractions: F Gavin Brindley (to COL), F James van Riemsdyk (to DET), F Justin Danforth (to BUF), F Sean Kuraly (to BOS), F Kevin Labanc (to CAR), D Jack Johnson (to MIN), D Jordan Harris (to BOS), G Daniil Tarasov (to FLA)

Retentions/Extensions: D Dante Fabbro (4yr x $4.125M AAV), D Ivan Provorov (7 yr x $8.5 M AAV), F Dmitri Voronkov (2yr x $4.175M AAV)

The last time we saw Columbus in the playoffs was in the bubble, the only time the team made the postseason after the departure of Sergei Bobrovsky. A fun underdog team to root for in the late 2010s had lost their identity, their identity which made those teams so compelling. But last season, they took a massive leap in the right direction, finishing two points out of the playoffs, a big step for a team that had a top 4 pick in the Draft the previous two seasons. 

This time last year, many people questioned how the Blue Jackets would even show up to the rink for the season. The tragedy that was the death of Johnny Gaudreau shook the sports world, and the organization lost their star player, not only that but a friend, a valued teammate, and a leader within the locker room. With the loss of Johnny Hockey, each and every player on this roster stepped up. With the Number 13 on the front of their jersey every game, they had something to play for that was bigger than the game, and they honoured him each and every night.

It has always been known around the league that Zach Werenski is a solid number one defenceman. He had 47 points as a rookie, finishing third in Calder voting behind Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine. Unfortunately, in the seven seasons that followed, he only surpassed his rookie point total twice, with his career high being 58 points in 2023-24, painting him as a good, not great offensive defenceman. But last season he exploded and set new career highs in all categories with 23 goals, 59 assists, and 82 points. Definitely a Norris caliber season, Werenski finished second only behind Cale Makar who had 30 goals and 93 points. His increase in production was a big part of the team’s success, and a team that struggled to score the previous two seasons (25th in the league in goals 2023-24 and 30th in 2022-23) became a top ten offense, scoring the eighth most goals in the NHL.

It was not just the point per game season from Werenski that boosted the offense, it was a team effort. In his first two seasons, Russian winger Kirill Marchenko displayed great scoring touch, scoring 21 goals as a rookie, and 23 in his second year. Although in both seasons he finished with more goals than assists, but last year it all came together and Marchenko had a breakout season scoring 31 goals and adding 43 assists for a 74 point campaign. He will look to prove that is what you can expect from him and build on a career year. Two former top five picks both had great seasons in Adam Fantilli (3rd overall in 2023) and Kent Johnson (5th overall in 2021). Johnson had the edge in point production with 57 points in only 68 games played, but Fantilli was tied for the team lead in goals with 31 in a full 82. Both have the ability to play at center or on the wing, and are key pieces in the Jackets future core.

It is no secret that Sean Monahan chose to sign with Columbus in free agency to reunite with Gaudreau whom he played with in Calgary. Nonetheless, the Brampton native embraced the city and has found a new home in Ohio’s capital. He was sidelined with a wrist injury for just over 20 games, but made his impact when he was on the ice recording 57 points in 54 games in his first season with the club. He was the 2025 recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.

Another name worth mentioning is Dmitri Voronkov, who had 23 goals and 47 points, earning him a 2 year contract extension worth just over $4M a season. Cole Sillinger, born in Columbus, has put up steady but nothing too impressive numbers in his young career and will look to take the next step as he enters a contract year. Guys like Boone Jenner, Mathieu Olivier and offseason acquisitions Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood, are the glue that complete this forward group. If everyone can step up and provide value to the team, they can certainly finish inside the top ten in scoring again this season.

On paper, this Blue Jackets D corps looks incredible, with lots of name value behind Werenski. Now is it as good as it looks, admittedly I need to watch more Columbus games to give you a proper answer, and look forward to holding myself to that. Ivan Provorov, who went one pick before Werenski in the 2015 NHL Draft (7th overall), was the guy in Philly for a bit. But like Werenski before last season, he plateaued at around the same point production he put up in his rookie season. The team moved on from him and he has been a big part of this blueline for two years, and signed a new deal so that he continues being a big part of it for the next seven (7 yr x $8.5 M AAV). Dante Fabbro also extended with the club this offseason (4yr x $4.125M AAV), he is a solid two way player who came from Nashville last season. Rounding out the group are veterans Damon Severson, Erik Gudbranson, and 2022 12th overall pick Denton Mateychuk, who spent time between Columbus and Cleveland (AHL) last season. He was nearly a point per game in the minors, and put up decent numbers when he was in the NHL last year. Look for him to be a full timer in the big leagues this year, and receive more and more opportunities throughout the season.

Since losing Bobrovsky to the Panthers, the goaltending in Columbus has been up and down. For a minute it was believed that Joonas Korpisalo would follow in Bob’s footsteps to become the next great goalie in town, but he now is no longer with the team and has bounced a bit in the past couple of seasons. He still holds the record for saves in a playoff game with 85 in the 5OT game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020. Then people thought it might be Elvis Merzikins, who was solid from 2019-2022, receiving a 5 year contract with an AAV of $5.4M to be the starter. Since his contract kicked in, he has not had a season with a SV% above .900, or a GAA lower than 3. Down the stretch last year, the team turned to Jet Greaves, an undrafted goalie who had been in the system for a few years. The 24 year old was stellar, posting a 7-2-2 record, with a .938 SV% and a 1.91 GAA. I expect Greaves to be given the chance to be the team’s starter this season, and Elvis and newly acquired Ivan Fedotov to provide depth behind him. With one year left on his deal, I would not be surprised if he continues to play at a high level, if this time next year Greaves is entering year one of a new contract, and Elvis is no longer with the club.

It was not expected of Columbus to be competing to make the playoffs last season, and despite being only 2 points out last year, I still do not think most people expect playoffs for them this year. The good thing for them is that they are a young and up and coming team, this is not an older roster that just missed the playoffs and is due for regression. If anything, I think it is more likely that they progress, than regress. They were a little bit streaky last year, and it takes being solid for 82 games to make it to the postseason. However I think if the Jackets continue to score like they did last year, see some of their young talent continue to ascend, and get solid goaltending whether Greaves is the guy or Elvis reclaims the net, they will be playing playoff hockey come April.