2025-25 Puck Drop Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets

Last Word On Hockey’s Puck Drop Previews are here for the 2025-26 season! As the regular seasons draws near, we will be previewing each teams’ current outlook and stories to watch for the upcoming season. We will also do our best to project how things will go for each team throughout the campaign. Today, we’re previewing the 2025-26 Columbus Blue Jackets.

2025-26 Columbus Blue Jackets Puck Drop Preview

2024-25 Season Recap

The franchise was still mourning the loss of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, just before the start of training camp. Many thought the Blue Jackets would struggle, but the team found a way to compete on a nightly basis. Columbus was in the mix for a Stanley Cup Playoff spot until bitter end. The Blue Jackets seemingly took to new head coach Dean Evason and gave a great effort every time they hit the ice. A late stretch doomed the Jackets and allowed the Montreal Canadiens to get the last spot.

Zach Werenski finished runner-up for the Norris Trophy and Adam Fantilli took a huge step forward in his development. The Blue Jackets were a fun team to watch with 3.26 goals per game, which was good enough to be tied for seventh. Their power play still needs work, but there were signs of life from Columbus.

The 2025 Off-Season Recap for Columbus

General manager Don Waddell stayed relatively quiet this off-season. We saw a number of departures like Sean Kuraly, Daniil Tarasov, James van Riemsdyk, Jack Johnson and others. However, it seems that a number of younger players are ready to step up and fill those spots in the lineup. He also kept Ivan Provorov in the fold, but the deal could have been a bit of an overpay.

Waddell did add Charlie Coyle to be the second-line centre for the team. Veterans Miles Wood, Isac Lundestrom and Brendan Smith were also added in the summertime. It seems that Waddell is readying himself for the Fantilli extension and other contract battles.

Projected Lineup

Forwards

Dmitri Voronkov-Sean Monahan-Kirill Marchenko

Boone Jenner-Adam Fantill-Kent Johnson

Yegor Chinakhov-Charlie Coyle-Cole Sillinger

Miles Wood-Isac Lundestrom-Mathieu Olivier

Extras: Zach Aston-Reese; Hudson Fasching

The Top Six

Marchenko was one of the engines that made the Blue Jackets an exciting young club last campaign. The Russian racked up 31 goals and 74 points, which was a big step forward for the 25 year-old. Monahan played well in the seasons after he was traded away from the Calgary Flames. He really stepped up as a leader and also won the Bill Masterton Trophy. Voronkov, who tallied 23 goals last season, and Monahan were in sync and made a good top line with Marchenko.

Fantilli got through an injury-riddled rookie year and doubled his points from 27 to 54. He also got put into plenty of important game situations by Evason. Johnson also made a significant jump in his game with his 24 goals in 68 games. Jenner is the perfect compliment on the line with two young guns. The Columbus captain is playing to power forward role to a “T” and can also produce when in the lineup.

The Bottom Six

Coyle can move up and down between the second and third lines if needed. The veteran could prove to be a solid depth addition to make the Jackets strong down the middle. Sillinger and Chinakov were also strong role players for Columbus last season that added some offensive pop from the middle six. We saw Sillinger total 33 points while Chinakov was productive in just 30 games last season. However, Chinakov has requested a trade out of Columbus. We could also see Aston-Reese and Fasching jockey for lineup spots. Both are decent enough on the defensive end and can fill in if needed. However, the rest of the lineup needs to improve its defensive play if the team wants to take that next step.

Defensive Pairings

Zach Werenski-Dante Fabbro

Denton Mateychuk-Ivan Provorov

Damon Severson-Erik Gudbranson

Extras: Brendan Smith

Top Four

Werenski is coming off a great season that saw him play great at both ends of the ice. The former University of Michigan product may not be known for his defensive prowess. However, that did improve and he formed a solid partnership with Fabbro. We saw Fabbro play much more consistently after being claimed from the Nashville Predators. Fabbro can also move the puck and produce points from back end.

Provorov’s signing was a controversial one as he’s had some issues on the defensive end. Many thought he was going to be traded at the deadline or allowed to seek a new team. However, he was given a seven-year deal just before the free agent market opening. The Russian has been given significant minutes despite some of his shortcomings. Mateychuk is also in the same mold as Fabbro is. He can move the puck and put up points from the blueline.

Bottom Pairing

Severson is also a polarizing defender, but can also move the puck. His defensive metrics have been done the last few seasons. However, he could get a boost playing on the bottom pair. Gudbranson provides a veteran depth presence, but wonders how he’ll mesh with Severson. Smith could make the team on a professional tryout. However, the Jackets struggled on the penalty kill, as they were 22nd in the league. That failure to stop the opposition may have cost them a playoff spot.

Goalies

Jet Greaves

Elvis Merzlikins

A late push be Greaves may have secured him the starting spot for the coming year. Greaves carded a .938 save percentage, which allowed Waddell to send Tarasov to the Florida Panthers. It seems like Greaves will be given every opportunity to cement himself as the number one netminder.

Merzlikins had somehow managed to find a way to stay the starter despite trade chatter and inconsistent play. The Latvian has an .896 save percentage over the last few season, but did play a bit better last season. We could see a goalie rotation if Greaves doesn’t run away with the job,

Players to Watch

Adam Fantilli

A hot start for the former second overall pick could force Waddell to give the youngster a massive contract. Last season was a breakthrough season and Fantilli has earned the trust of his head coach. The third-year forward might set up for a big raise if he gets out of the gate quickly.

Ivan Provorov

We mentioned that it seemed like Provorov was not long for the Ohio capital. However, a deal got done at the least minute. The Russian can put up points, but will his defensive issues be too much to ignore?

Jet Greaves

This might be the year the Blue Jackets solve their goaltending problem. We’ve seen Merzlikins, Tarasov, Joonas Korpisalo and others try their luck, but Greaves kept the Jackets in the raise. However, we’ll see if he can handle the pressure of getting starting minutes.

Prediction for 2025-26 Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets were a feel-good story, but let’s see if the youngsters can keep it up. Columbus played hard and Evason seemed to make them able to compete every night.

However, the defensive issues weren’t really addressed during free agency. The team does have to play better on special teams, especially on the PK. The competition level in the Atlantic Division may be too great for the Jackets to overcome. Columbus will be in the mix near the end of the season, but could barely miss out of the playoffs.