The National Hockey League is a stage for high drama, but sometimes, real-life tragedy casts an indelible shadow. For the Columbus Blue Jackets, the 2024-25 season began under the heaviest cloud imaginable, following the devastating loss of star forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. What followed, however, was not a capitulation, but an unexpected display of collective resilience. The team, by all accounts, rallied, turning profound grief into a surprising competitive edge that saw them remain in the playoff hunt until the season`s dying days. Now, as the 2025-26 campaign looms, the question is no longer merely about coping, but about building. Can the Blue Jackets translate last season`s emotional surge into a sustained drive for playoff contention?
The Architects of Ambition: Core Players and Unexpected Heroes
Last season provided several answers, not least of which was the emergence of key personnel. Defenseman Zach Werenski, a perennial talent, elevated his game to Norris Trophy finalist levels, leading the team in scoring and dominating ice time with a blend of offensive flair and defensive responsibility. His performance wasn`t just good; it was foundational, making him indispensable to any future success. Alongside him, the offensive trio featuring Kirill Marchenko, who enjoyed a breakout year, and Adam Fantilli, who took a significant stride in his second (and first fully healthy) NHL season, proved genuinely dangerous. Fantilli, in particular, lived up to the hype that surrounds high draft picks, showcasing the kind of potential Columbus has long yearned for down the middle.
Adding a dash of unexpected spice to the mix was fourth-liner Mathieu Olivier. Known primarily for his physical play and willingness to drop the gloves, Olivier surprised many by contributing a noteworthy 18 goals, proving that even role players can exceed expectations when the team needs it most. The sum of these individual efforts coalesced into an offense that finished an impressive eighth-best in the league. Sustaining this offensive output, while tightening up other areas, will be crucial.
Strategic Reinforcements and Depth Considerations
Recognizing the need for a more balanced attack, the Blue Jackets have not rested on their laurels. The acquisition of veteran center Charlie Coyle in a summer trade addresses a long-standing organizational challenge: finding reliable centers. With Sean Monahan and Adam Fantilli slated as the top two, Coyle is expected to anchor the third line, offering a potent blend of size, skill, and grit. His 25-goal season two years prior serves as a reminder of his offensive capabilities, though his primary role now will be to provide robust, two-way play. If he hits 20 goals again, it’s a bonus that suggests the team`s offensive engine is humming efficiently.
Further bolstering the center depth is Isac Lundestrom, projected to take on the fourth-line pivot role. Flanked by tough-minded wingers like Miles Wood and Mathieu Olivier, Lundestrom’s development into a competent all-around center could significantly strengthen the team’s bottom six. His previous 16-goal season indicates a latent offensive ability that could emerge unexpectedly, making this fourth line far more than just a checking unit. The dynamic of his play with two high-intensity wingers will be a fascinating subplot.
The Goaltending Conundrum: Can Jet Greaves Seize the Crease?
While Columbus excelled offensively last season, their defensive record was a stark contrast, allowing the eighth-most goals in the league. This glaring inconsistency in net remains perhaps the most critical hurdle to a legitimate playoff run. Elvis Merzlikins returns, but the opportunity for a new starting goaltender is palpable. Enter Jet Greaves. The 24-year-old showcased an undeniable flash of brilliance at the tail end of last season, posting a remarkable 5-0-0 record with a .975 save percentage and two shutouts in April. His overall NHL numbers (a .924 save percentage over 21 games) suggest a goaltender on the cusp of something significant. The Blue Jackets, known for their arduous search for a consistent number one, might just have developed their own. The upcoming training camp and early season performances will be a genuine test of whether Greaves can translate that potential into sustained NHL starter quality. The playoffs, after all, are won as much between the pipes as they are at the net front.
Prospect Watch: Cayden Lindstrom and the Path to the NHL
The future, too, holds tantalizing promise. Cayden Lindstrom, the fourth-overall pick in the 2024 draft, represents a cornerstone of the Blue Jackets` long-term plans. A six-foot-four, 215-pound scoring center, Lindstrom projects to be a top-six forward at the NHL level. However, his follow-up season was largely derailed by a back injury and subsequent surgery. While he made a brief return for the WHL playoffs and Memorial Cup, his true test begins this season at Michigan State. Challenged against older, more physically mature opponents, Lindstrom must prove he can still be the dynamic force Columbus envisioned. The path from highly touted prospect to NHL star is rarely linear, and for Lindstrom, it has already presented its first major detour.
Unresolved Dynamics: The Yegor Chinakov Situation
No team preview would be complete without acknowledging the elephant in the room. The situation surrounding forward Yegor Chinakov adds a layer of intrigue, and potential volatility, to the Blue Jackets` outlook. After a scorching start last season, Chinakov`s production waned following an upper-body injury and a subsequent demotion on the depth chart. Over the summer, it emerged that he had requested a trade, a fact confirmed by GM Don Waddell. While Chinakov`s camp cited “misunderstandings” with Head Coach Dean Evason, Waddell suggested the player struggled with being a healthy scratch. Penciled in as a second or third-line winger, Chinakov’s contractual situation (one year left before arbitration eligibility) means this storyline will undoubtedly unfold through training camp and the early stages of the season. How management and coaching handle this dynamic will be a true test of the team`s internal fortitude and ability to maintain focus amidst potential distractions.
The Verdict: Playoff Push or Perennial Hope?
The Columbus Blue Jackets are no longer an afterthought. They missed the playoffs by a mere two points last season, a testament to their unexpected surge. With a core of proven talent, strategic additions, and a highly motivated locker room, the pieces are seemingly in place for a genuine push. Zach Werenski’s ability to replicate his Norris-caliber performance, Jet Greaves` ascension to a starting role, the seamless integration of Charlie Coyle, and the resolution of the Chinakov saga will be paramount. Injuries, which plagued them last season (Yegor Chinakov, Sean Monahan, and Boone Jenner all missed significant time), will also need to be managed with greater fortune.
Optimism abounds in Columbus, and for good reason. This team has shown it possesses both talent and an unquantifiable inner strength. The task now is to channel that energy, address the remaining vulnerabilities, and execute consistently over 82 games. The 2025-26 season for the Columbus Blue Jackets promises to be a compelling narrative, one where resilience seeks to morph into legitimate contention.
Percy Harlow