Columbus Blue Jackets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Waddell’s Cryptic Comments on Werenski Raise Red Flags in Columbus

GM Don Waddell chose his words carefully Thursday — and that alone should worry Columbus Blue Jackets fans. Without sharing the details of any previous conversations or hinting that there might be a trade imminent involving the Norris Trophy-winning defenseman, it clearly sounds like that’s a realistic possibility.

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The Quiz of the Day

Draft Possibilities: Five Forwards The Blue Jackets Could Target At No. 14

The NHL draft is nearly upon us. Similar to last year, the Columbus Blue Jackets have the 14th overall pick in this year's draft, which will take place June 26-27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

Columbus Blue Jackets News / Daily Faceoff / June 25

‘No definitive plan’ on Werenski’s future in Columbus, GM says

While notable American players like Quinn Hughes and Brady Tkachuk (and possibly Dylan Larkin) have been on the move recently, many wonder if another high-end U.S.-born player might be the next to be traded.

Columbus Blue Jackets News / The Hockey Writers / June 25

Blue Jackets’ GM Waddell to Meet With Werenski 'In Near Future'

The big story around the Columbus Blue Jackets is the future of Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski. On Thursday afternoon in his pre-draft availability, GM Don Waddell gave some updates but didn’t want to share everything.

Jordan Staal News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The NHL began awarding the Conn Smythe Trophy to the most valuable player of the postseason beginning in the 1965 season. How many of the past winners can you name in six minutes?

The 'NHL Hart Trophy winners' quiz

The '5+ goal Stanley Cup Finals' quiz

The 'Playoff power play goal leaders by team' quiz

NHL News / Yardbarker / June 24

Connor McDavid sounds desperate in support of Mike Babcock hiring

Connor McDavid sounds incredibly desperate in support of Oilers hiring Mike Babcock

The Edmonton Oilers are facing intense scrutiny for their decision to hire Mike Babcock for their head-coaching role given all of the baggage he brings with him.

Jordan Kyrou, Alex Tuch moves say a lot about how Capitals see themselves

Have the Senators found their replacement for Brady Tkachuk?

Sabres sign 21-year-old forward to a seven-year, $52.5M extension

Gavin McKenna excited to potentially play with Leafs' Auston Matthews

Morgan Rielly's agent submits trade list for Maple Leafs defenseman

NHL News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest rookie seasons in NHL history

There have been successful rookie seasons in NHL history, and there have been superior efforts worth celebrating time and time again. Here's our list of the 25 notable seasons from those with official rookie status, as deemed by the NHL, in reverse chronological order.

Columbus Blue Jackets News / The Hockey Writers / June 24

Outlining the Blue Jackets’ Perfect 2026 Offseason

The Columbus Blue Jackets were so, so close to securing a wild card berth in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. But once again, they fell just shy of that goal.

Mike Babcock News / Trade Talk Sports / June 24

Mike Babcock Offers Little Reflection on Time in Columbus

Mike Babcock was officially introduced as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, and with that came his first meeting with the media since his strange fallout in Columbus a few years ago.

Zach Werenski News / Daily Faceoff / June 23

Report: Blue Jackets to discuss Werenski’s future after NHL Draft

The dominoes continue to fall relating to the NHL futures of many of the stars of the American team that captured Olympic gold in Milano-Cortina in February.

Columbus Blue Jackets News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 23

Blue Jackets, Zach Werenski To Discuss Future After Draft

On the heels of Dylan Larkin requesting a trade from the Detroit Red Wings and the Ottawa Senators shipping Brady Tkachuk off to the Florida Panthers, there is growing speculation that a third member of Team USA’s Gold medal-winning Olympic team could be on the move this summer.

Zach Werenski News / NHL Trade Talk / June 23

Blue Jackets to Sit with Zach Werenski and Talk Possible Trade After NHL Draft

There have been rumors about what might happen with Zach Werenski in Columbus this past week. Most wondered if there was any truth to the idea that he might be among the U.S.-born players who are suddenly making it known they want a change of scenery.

NHL News / Trade Talk Sports / June 23

Two Blue Jackets Stars Land on Insider Trade Board

The NHL insiders have been warning fans to buckle up for more chaos after the blockbuster Brady Tkachuk trade on Sunday night, and it sounds like the team we might have to keep our eyes on is the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Zach Werenski News / NHL Trade Talk / June 22

Every Insider Is Saying the Same Thing About a Zach Werenski Trade

“There are certainly indications that he and his camp are having conversations about what the future looks like,” said NHL insider Pierre LeBrun about Zach Werenski.

Jacob Paquette News / Inside The Rink / June 22

ECHL: Jacob Paquette Heads Overseas

Trois-Rivières Lions defenseman Jacob Paquette is heading overseas to France to join Rouen (Ligue Magnus) after spending parts of the last three seasons with the Lions.

Columbus Blue Jackets News / Inside The Rink / June 22

Columbus Blue Jackets Trade Rumblings

As the NHL crowed a new Stanley Cup Champion, the offseason has officially begun. Contending teams and teams close to contending are now looking for ways to improve their organizations to get into the playoffs.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The '2nd-overall NBA Draft picks' quiz

The 'Multi-time NBA MVPs' quiz

The 'No.1 NBA Draft picks' quiz

The 'Most K's through 30 MLB starts' quiz

Zach Werenski News / NHL on ClutchPoints / June 22

Will Blue Jackets superstar Zach Werenski ask for a trade?

Former Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk requesting a trade and being sent to join his brother with the Florida Panthers might not be the only bombshell move we see in the National Hockey League this summer.

Columbus Blue Jackets News / The Hockey Writers / June 22

2026 Columbus Blue Jackets Draft Guide

Welcome to the 2026 NHL Draft. For the Columbus Blue Jackets, it marks a pivotal time in their franchise history. Starting with the draft and then going into the rest of the offseason, GM Don Waddell has a lot of things to accomplish in order to get the Blue Jackets to a place where they can finally get over the playoff hump.

Columbus Blue Jackets News / NHL on ClutchPoints / June 22

Blue Jackets sign first-round pick to one-year contract extension

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Corson Ceulemans to a one-year, two-way contract extension for the 2026-27 season, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced on Saturday.

Corson Ceulemans News / Daily Faceoff / June 20

Blue Jackets sign Corson Ceulemans to one-year, two-way contract

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Saturday that they have signed defenseman Corson Ceulemans to a one-year, two-way contract extension. Ceulemans, who the Blue Jackets chose with the No.

Corson Ceulemans News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 20

Blue Jackets Sign Corson Ceulemans To One-Year Extension

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced that 2021 first-round pick Corson Ceulemans has been signed to a one-year, two-way contract extension. The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline reported the deal carries a league-minimum NHL salary of $850K and an AHL salary of $95K.

Jake Debrusk News / The Hockey Writers / June 19

Blue Jackets Can Address Needs by Trading for Jake DeBrusk This Offseason

The 2026 free agent market is not going to get the league-wide headlines that free agency so often brings, but the trade market holds all the value this summer.

Columbus Blue Jackets News / The Hockey Writers / June 18

Will Zach Werenski Be the Next Blue Jackets Star to Force His Way Out of Columbus?

Following The Hockey Writers‘ Mark Scheig‘s recent conversation with Don Waddell, the Columbus Blue Jackets general manager, it seems Waddell understands how the NHL is beginning to adapt to the National Basketball Association style of player control over their situations.