Blue Jackets Not Expected To Re-Sign Erik Gudbranson

After a late-season collapse ultimately cost them a playoff spot, Columbus head coach Rick Bowness talked about changing the culture, assuming he would still be with the team in 2026-27.  That question went away rather quickly and Bowness will now get a chance to really put his mark on the team.

It appears one of the changes will be coming on the back end.  Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco reports that pending UFA defenseman Erik Gudbranson is not expected to return to the Blue Jackets next season.

The 34-year-old had a tough showing both on and off the ice this season.  Felled by three separate injuries (including a hip issue that kept him out for 38 games), Gudbranson only suited up in 37 games.  While that was an improvement on 2024-25, that games played total was still the third-lowest of his 15-year career.  In those outings, he had three points along with 64 blocks and 45 hits in 17:46 per night of playing time.

A veteran of 842 career NHL regular season appearances across eight different organizations, Gudbranson has 35 goals and 105 assists to his name, along with 1,157 blocks and 1,757 hits.  He has predominantly played a fourth or fifth role on depth charts throughout his career although his grit and coveted right-hand shot have always resulted in him having plenty of suitors.  That demand landed him a four-year, $16MM pact from Columbus back in 2022.

Given his age and injury-riddled campaigns, it’s fair to say that Gudbranson won’t be able to command another deal in that range this summer.  AFP Analytics projects a near-50% pay cut, with a one-year, $2.012MM deal.  Notably, by missing so much time this season, Gudbranson is eligible for a one-year deal with performance incentives, an option that otherwise wouldn’t have been available to him for one more year.  Assuming he’s amenable to signing such a deal, that should open up options with more cap-strapped teams.

While a decision has been made on Gudbranson (and Brendan Smith, who Di Marco also reports won’t return), Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell has some work to do with his other pending unrestricted free agents.  The team has some of the more prominent unsigned veterans heading into the summer, headlined by centers Charlie Coyle and Boone Jenner along with winger Mason Marchment.  In the short term, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the team concentrating on trying to get one or more of them locked up on a new deal in the coming weeks.