Blue Jackets
A preview of the 2025-26 NHL season for the Columbus Blue Jackets, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our NHL page.
Key Additions: Charlie Coyle, Miles Wood, Isac Lundestrom, Ivan Fedotov
Key Departures: Sean Kuraly, James Van Riemsdyk, Daniil Tarasov, Justin Danforth
Overview
Last season started with the unspeakable tragedy of Johnny Gaudreau’s death. The Blue Jackets, under the direction of new head coach Dean Evason and center Sean Monahan, one of Gaudreau’s closest friends and teammates in Calgary, galvanized a team that competed for a playoff spot until they were eliminated on the second-to-last day of the regular season.
Offense
The Jackets were first in goals scored at 5-on-5 (202), so it should come as no surprise that they led the league last year with 46 of their games going Over the total and their average of 6.60 combined goals per game was second-most in the NHL. Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko each scored 31 goals. It was the first time since 2015-16 that Columbus had two 30 goal scorers in the same season.
Kent Johnson, Dmitri Voronkov and Zach Werenski were all part of the 20-goal club, giving the Jackets five players with at least 20 goals for the first time since 2019.
Defense
It was a career year for Werenski. His 82 points led the team and his 26:45 average time on ice led all NHL players. Werenski’s 23 goals were second only to Colorado’s Cale Makar (30) for goals by defenseman and he was the runner up to Makar for the Norris Trophy, awarded to league’s best defenseman. Werenski is joined by Ivan Provorov who signed a seven-year deal in the summer to stay in Columbus. Dante Fabbro and Denton Mateychuk round out the top four.
An interesting note from The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline: In the 41 games in which Werenski, Fabbro, Mateychuk and Provorov all dressed, the Blue Jackets went 26-13-2 and allowed 2.95 goals per game. In the 41 games in which one or more were missing from the lineup, the Jackets went 14-20-7 and allowed 3.56 goals per game.
Goaltending
Elvis Merzlikins has owned the starter’s crease in Columbus for the past few seasons, but there is a prevailing thought that the door is open for Jet Greaves to take over as the team’s No. 1. The Jackets traded last season’s backup Daniil Tarasov to Florida, opening the door for Greaves, who was 7-2-2 with 1.91 GAA, a .938 SV% and two shutouts in 11 games last season. Greaves has just 21 NHL games on his resume with 2.62 career GAA and a .924 SV%. Columbus also traded for Ivan Fedotov from the Flyers for some more insurance in net.
Player to Watch
Maybe all that Elvis Merzlikins needs is a partner that can push him and challenge him to be better. Greaves has played 40 or more games three times in the American Hockey League. I believe 20 starts is a realistic target in what will be his first full NHL season.
Outlook
Last season, Columbus finished with 89 points. I don’t see them taking a step back this season, so I am on Columbus Over 84.5 points (-125). A smaller play at +220 to make the playoffs will also be in my portfolio.
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 84.5
To Make the Playoffs: +220
To Miss the Playoffs: -300
To Win the Metropolitan Division: +3000
To Win the Eastern Conference: +4000
To Win the Stanley Cup: +9000
2024-25 Recap
Record: 40-33-9, 89 points (4th Metropolitan Division)
Over/Under: 46-35-1
Home Favorite: 9-3 // Home Dog: 16-12
Road Favorite: 2-2 // Road Dog: 12-25
Win Score 4 or more: 33 of 40 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 29 of 42
Puck Line Wins: 27 of 40 // Puck Line Losses: 26 of 42
Front End Back-to-Back: 6-6 // Back End Back-to-Back: 2-10
Points Leader: Zach Werenski – 82
Goal Leaders: Kirill Marchenko – 31, Adam Fantilli – 31
Assist Leader: Zach Werenski – 59
Shots on Goal Leader: Zach Werenski – 298
Blocked Shots Leader: Dante Fabbro – 136
Depth Chart
Forwards
Dimitri Voronkov / Sean Monahan / Kirill Marchenko
Boone Jenner / Adam Fantilli / Kent Johnson
Yegor Chinakov / Charlie Coyle / Cole Sillinger
Miles Wood / Isac Lundestrom / Mathieu Olivier
Defense
Zach Werenski / Dante Fabbro
Denton Mateychuk / Ivan Provorov
Damon Severson / Erik Gudbranson
Goalies
Jet Greaves / Elvis Merzlikins
Power Play Unit 1
Boone Jenner, Sean Monahan, Kent Johnson, Kirill Marchenko, Zach Werenski
