The winds of change, or perhaps just a very strong draft, have been blowing through Columbus, Ohio, for what feels like an eternity. Yet, as the 2025-26 NHL season beckons, there`s a tangible hum of anticipation surrounding the Columbus Blue Jackets. After a previous season that saw them narrowly miss a playoff berth – a campaign underscored by remarkable resilience in the face of immense adversity – expectations are not just recalibrated; they`re soaring. The question on every fan`s mind isn`t if this team is improving, but when they`ll truly break through. Could this be the year the Blue Jackets shed their “dark horse” label and become a legitimate contender?
The Foundation: Young Stars and Proven Leaders
At the heart of Columbus’s ascent is Zach Werenski, a defenseman who, last season, not only led the team in scoring but also cemented his status as one of the league`s elite blueliners. Finishing second in Norris Trophy voting is no small feat, especially on a team that had its share of ups and downs. Werenski`s ability to drive offense from the back end, coupled with his staggering ice time, makes him indispensable. For the Blue Jackets to take the next step, Werenski won`t just need to maintain that level; he`ll need to exceed it, perhaps finding a new gear fueled by an Olympic year and the tantalizing proximity of playoff hockey.
Up front, the narrative is equally compelling. The maturation of Adam Fantilli into a true NHL force in his second, fully healthy season, combined with Kirill Marchenko`s breakout performance, formed one of the league`s most dangerous offensive trios. Adding to this offensive punch was the surprising eighteen-goal contribution from fourth-liner Mathieu Olivier, a player more commonly associated with grit and fisticuffs than goal-scoring prowess. This potent blend suggests an offense that, having finished eighth-best in the league last year, is primed for continued success. The challenge, of course, is consistency, and translating individual brilliance into collective playoff wins.
Bolstering the Core: Strategic Additions and Depth
Recognizing the perennial quest for reliable centers, the Blue Jackets made shrewd moves to solidify their middle-ice presence. The acquisition of Charlie Coyle in a summer trade adds a valuable veteran presence and a strong two-way game. With Sean Monahan and Fantilli anchoring the top two lines, Coyle slides into a pivotal third-line center role, creating a formidable 1-2-3 punch down the middle. Coyle’s ability to contribute 20 goals, even if not strictly required, would signal an offense firing on all cylinders. This kind of depth at a crucial position is not merely a luxury; it’s a prerequisite for any team with legitimate playoff aspirations.
Further deepening the center pool, Isac Lundestrom, at 25, is projected to command the fourth line, flanked by tenacious wingers like Miles Wood and Mathieu Olivier. While his 16-goal season from four years prior might be an anomaly for his current role, Lundestrom’s development into a competent all-around center provides an invaluable asset. His presence ensures that even the checking line can pose an offensive threat while maintaining defensive integrity – a nuanced requirement often overlooked until the postseason grind begins.
The Future`s Glimmer: Cayden Lindstrom`s Potential
No preview would be complete without peering into the crystal ball of prospect pools. Cayden Lindstrom, the fourth-overall pick from 2024, stands as the tantalizing embodiment of the Blue Jackets` future. Despite missing most of his follow-up season due to a back injury and subsequent surgery, Lindstrom`s brief return at the end of the WHL playoffs offered glimpses of his immense potential. Standing at six-foot-four and 215 pounds, he projects as a top-two line scoring center – a rare commodity. His move to Michigan State this season, facing older and more physically mature competition, will be a crucial test. Columbus is banking on him to prove he can still be the dynamic force they envisioned when they drafted him so highly. The weight of expectation, much like a good Michigan winter, is considerable.
The Burning Questions: Navigating the Road Ahead
As training camp looms, several key questions linger, capable of shaping the Blue Jackets` season:
Can Jet Greaves Win the Crease?
Last season, while the offense hummed, the goaltending often felt like a rogue accordion – sometimes harmonious, sometimes… not. The Blue Jackets allowed the eighth-most goals, highlighting a clear need for consistency in net. While Elvis Merzlikins returns, the spotlight is firmly on 24-year-old Jet Greaves. His end-of-season showcase last April was nothing short of spectacular: a 5-0-0 record with a .975 save percentage and two shutouts. In 21 NHL games, his .924 save percentage offers a beacon of hope that Columbus has indeed cultivated its own homegrown No. 1 goaltender. The opportunity is there for Greaves to seize the starting role, and his performance will undoubtedly be a primary determinant of the team`s playoff aspirations. A good camp and solid in-season play are not just desired; they are paramount.
What Will Come of Yegor Chinakov`s Trade Request?
This is where the human element, sometimes messy, sometimes entertaining, comes into play. Yegor Chinakov, who started last season ablaze with 14 points in 21 games before an injury derailed him, resurfaced on the trade block this summer. The narrative is classic: “misunderstandings with the coach” (per Chinakov`s camp) versus “couldn`t handle being scratched” (per GM Don Waddell). Currently penciled in as a second or third-line winger, Chinakov represents a fascinating internal dynamic. Can the team and player reconcile? Or will the trade request, a simmering pot of personal ambition and team politics, boil over? His contract situation (arbitration-eligible RFA after this year) only adds another layer to this intriguing subplot. A motivated and productive Chinakov is a significant asset; a discontented one could be a distraction.
How Will Zach Werenski Follow Up His Norris Finalist Season?
The encore is often harder than the initial performance. After leading all NHL defensemen in even-strength goals and points and averaging more ice time than any other player, Zach Werenski set an incredibly high bar for himself. His drive this season will be multifaceted: the allure of Olympic participation and, more immediately, guiding the Blue Jackets to that elusive playoff spot they missed by a mere two points last season. For Columbus to make a similar, or even stronger, push in 2025-26, Werenski must continue to be that exceptional difference-maker. His leadership, offensive prowess, and defensive reliability are not just assets; they are cornerstones upon which the team`s ambitions are built.
The Verdict: A Season of High Stakes
The 2025-26 season for the Columbus Blue Jackets is poised to be one of the most compelling in recent memory. The blend of established stars reaching their prime, promising young talent on the cusp, and strategic veteran additions has cultivated an environment ripe for success. Yet, the path is fraught with the inevitable challenges of professional hockey: injury luck, internal team dynamics, and the relentless pursuit of goaltending consistency.
Columbus is no longer an afterthought. They are a team with genuine playoff aspirations, a squad that has tasted the bitter edge of a near-miss and is now hungrier than ever. The “Blue Wave” is building, and if all the pieces click, hockey fans in Ohio might just be treated to a truly unforgettable ride. The time for promises is over; the time for performance is now.