The previous season proved to be an emotional journey for the Columbus Blue Jackets, marked by the tragic September passing of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. Despite this, the team rallied, contending for a playoff position until the final stages. As a result, expectations for the 2025-26 season are being re-evaluated.
Zach Werenski delivered his finest season, spearheading Columbus`s achievements. The team`s top forward line emerged as one of the NHL`s most potent trios. Unexpectedly, fourth-liner Mathieu Olivier, renowned for his physicality, offered much more, netting an impressive 18 goals. Kirill Marchenko was the year`s standout player, while Adam Fantilli significantly advanced in his sophomore NHL season, his first fully healthy campaign.
Can the Blue Jackets leverage these successes moving forward?
The majority of last season`s roster is back, supplemented by intriguing new players who could foster greater team balance. The Blue Jackets will also require improved injury fortune compared to last season, which saw Yegor Chinakov, Sean Monahan, and Boone Jenner sidelined for significant periods. Minimizing player absences will be crucial.
Optimism is high in Columbus that this team is on the brink of a breakthrough. Here`s a look at their current state as training camp approaches.
Key Newcomer: Charlie Coyle
The Blue Jackets have historically struggled to cultivate strong centers, but entering 2025-26, their depth at the position appears robust. With Monahan and Fantilli leading as the top two centers, Columbus acquired Charlie Coyle in a summer trade. As a projected third-line center, he completes a formidable 1-2-3 punch down the middle, combining size, skill, and grit. Coyle, a 25-goal scorer two seasons prior, isn`t expected to replicate that output in Columbus. However, reaching 20 goals again would signal a successful offensive season for the team, which ranked eighth in the league last year.
Sleeper Pick: Isac Lundestrom
Isac Lundestrom, 25, is anticipated to slot in as Columbus`s fourth-line center, flanked by the tough-playing Miles Wood and Mathieu Olivier. Four years ago, Lundestrom scored 16 goals, a feat unlikely to be repeated in his current role, but it highlights his occasional offensive upside, making him a valuable deep-roster asset. Lundestrom has developed into a capable two-way center, poised to significantly bolster Columbus`s center depth. An interesting question remains: how will he adapt to playing alongside two wingers known for their intense on-ice presence?
Top Prospect Spotlight: Cayden Lindstrom
Cayden Lindstrom, the fourth-overall pick in 2024 (ahead of Ivan Demidov and Tij Iginla), largely missed his subsequent season due to a back injury, surgery, and recovery. He made a late return for Medicine Hat`s WHL playoff run, tallying four points in four games, then went scoreless in three Memorial Cup games. Lindstrom`s potential is immense: he`s a 6-foot-4, 215-pound scoring center projected for a top-two line role in the NHL. However, he must demonstrate he can return to the form that led Columbus to draft him so highly. Lindstrom has since moved from Medicine Hat to Michigan State, where he will face tougher, older competition than in major junior hockey.
Key Questions for the Season
1. Will Jet Greaves Secure the Starting Goalie Role?
While Columbus boasted the eighth-best offense last season, they also conceded the eighth-most goals, highlighting a need for greater goaltending consistency. Elvis Merzlikins is back, but there`s a clear opportunity for another netminder to claim the majority of starts in 2025-26. Jet Greaves, 24, delivered an impressive performance when called up at the end of last season, posting a 5-0-0 record in April with a .975 save percentage, 0.80 GAA, and two shutouts. Across 21 NHL games over the past three seasons, he maintains a .924 save percentage, fostering genuine hope that the Blue Jackets have developed their own true No. 1 goalie. He`ll need to earn those starts with a strong training camp and consistent in-season play, especially as Columbus, having missed the playoffs by only two points last season, is no longer an underdog and has serious playoff aspirations.
2. What`s the Outcome of Yegor Chinakov`s Trade Request?
At the beginning of last season, Yegor Chinakov formed a hot line with Monahan and Marchenko, collecting 14 points in his first 21 games before an upper-body injury sidelined him until March. Upon his return, his production dipped, leading to a demotion on the depth chart and eventual healthy scratches. Over the summer, news emerged of Chinakov`s trade request from Columbus, confirmed by GM Don Waddell. Chinakov`s camp cited misunderstandings with head coach Dean Evason, while Waddell stated the player struggled with being benched. Chinakov is currently projected as a second- or third-line winger, so his situation will be closely watched through training camp and the early season. He has one year left on his contract, after which he`ll be an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent (RFA).
3. Can Zach Werenski Build on His Norris Finalist Campaign?
If you weren`t familiar with Zach Werenski`s play last season, you certainly are now, as Columbus`s top defenseman had a spectacular year, finishing second to Cale Makar in Norris Trophy voting. Werenski led Columbus in scoring with 82 points in 81 games; no other NHL defenseman scored more even-strength goals or points, and no player averaged more ice time. He`ll be motivated by the upcoming Olympics and the narrowly missed playoff spot from last season. For the Blue Jackets to mount a similar push in 2025-26, Werenski must again be that pivotal difference-maker.
