Columbus Blue Jackets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Blue Jackets sign forward prospect to one-year extension

On Saturday, the Columbus Blue Jackets retained forward prospect James Malatesta, signing him to a one-year, two-way contract extension for the 2026-27 season.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

How Will Don Waddell Improve The Columbus Blue Jackets Roster?

The Columbus Blue Jackets once again missed the playoffs by a narrow margin for the second straight season. It has been six years since the organization tasted postseason play, fans have shown some discord, players and front office are frustrated, so what happens next?

Columbus Blue Jackets News / 1st Ohio Battery / June 13

Separating Pretenders From Contenders: How The Blue Jackets Need To Adjust

Built for the regular season versus built for the playoffs. In 2022, Dan Dukart wrote about the differences between building a 'playoff team' and a 'team that can win the Stanley Cup.' I've thought quite a bit about that concept over the last few years, and the types of players you see that are an engine when it matters this time of year.

James Malatesta News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 12

Blue Jackets Sign James Malatesta To One-Year Extension

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed AHL forward James Malatesta to a one-year, two-way extension. The deal will carry an $850K salary in the NHL and $95K salary in the minors per PuckPedia.

Vegas Golden Knights News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Single-playoff goal leaders' quiz

How many of the players to score the most goals in one Stanley Cup Playoff run for each NHL franchise can you name in five minutes?

The '20-point Stanley Cup Playoffs' quiz

The 'Active playoff game-winning goals' quiz

The '10-goal Stanley Cup Playoffs' quiz

Zach Werenski News / The Hockey Writers / June 12

Blue Jackets News & Rumors: Werenski, Potential Moves & More

We are exactly two weeks out from the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo. This time is known to some as the “calm before the storm.” While there are certainly some big headlines in the hockey world such as the Oilers and Mike Babcock and who will be the next Maple Leafs’ head coach, teams are preparing their offseason plans.

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 / NHL Trade Talk / June 11

Insider Wonders: Is Norris Winner Next NHL Star to Ask For a Trade?

According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, the possibility of a trade request this summer involving Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski should not be ruled out.

NHL News / NHL Rumors / June 11

NHL Rumors: Mason Marchment looking for big deal; several areas of need for the Senators

Jason Gregor: Aaron Portzline on Sports 1440 on Columbus Blue Jackets pending UFA forwards Mason Marchment and Boone Jenner. “My sense is that Marchment will be the hardest of their UFAs to sign.

Zach Werenski News / Trade Talk Sports / June 11

Insider Won’t Rule Out a Potential Zach Werenski Trade Request

Dylan Larkin requesting a trade out of Detroit has sparked mass speculation about which star NHL player could be next to ask to be moved from their current situation.

Columbus Blue Jackets News / NHL on ClutchPoints / June 9

3 teams that should be calling Blue Jackets about No. 14 overall pick trade

The NHL Draft is just weeks away, and the Columbus Blue Jackets may be open to making a trade. General manager Don Waddell told The Athletic that he was open to dealing the 14th overall pick before the draft.

Dylan Larkin News / NHL on ClutchPoints / June 8

Blue Jackets rumors: Why a Dylan Larkin trade to Columbus is ‘unlikely’

The Columbus Blue Jackets have missed the playoffs for six straight seasons, but made a run at returning this year. While the run came up short, the team looked to be moving in the right direction.

Zach Werenski News / 1st Ohio Battery / June 8

After a Norris Trophy, Zach Werenski Deserves a Contender

This summer is a critical step towards something bigger. On Friday, we looked at the remarkable past year Zach Werenski just completed: a World Championship gold medal with Team USA, Olympic gold in February, the birth of his son with wife Odette last month, and his first Norris trophy last week.

NHL News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 8

Blue Jackets Open To Trading 14th Overall Pick

Columbus has some experience with picking 14th overall in the NHL Draft, but this year? They potentially might change that. According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, the Jackets are open to moving this year’s 14th overall pick to improve their team now.

Zach Werenski News / 1st Ohio Battery / June 5

A Year To Remember: Gold Medals, Fatherhood, And A Norris Trophy For Zach Werenski

Few hockey players can dare dream about the year Zach Werenski just wrapped up. Let's first go back to May 2025. That's when Werenski won gold with Team USA in the IIHF World Championship, a 1-0 overtime win over Switzerland, marking USA's first gold since 1933.