Outlining the Blue Jackets’ Perfect 2026 Offseason

The question is whether to sign Fantilli to a bridge deal now or lock him into something long-term. The Blue Jackets have cap space and should make it a long-term deal. If they can sign him at $9-9.5 million per season for eight years, do it.

The (multi) million-dollar question is what it will take to sign Marchenko. The 25-year-old winger feels capable of growing on his past output. Would a four- or five-year deal at $9 million per season get it done? Do the Blue Jackets need to go significantly higher? With one year remaining on a team-friendly deal, it feels like now is the time to act.

Re-Sign Jet Greaves

Jet Greaves took a major step forward in 2025-26 and went from the goalie of the future to the goalie of the present. He was a borderline top 10 goaltender and has given them a boost in net. At 25 years old, his best years are also ahead of him.

Columbus likely has two options: sign him to a one-year deal since he would be a restricted free agent again next summer, or an extension in the four-to-five-year range. Going with the latter at $6-$6.5 million per season, the Blue Jackets will feel confident knowing they have their guy for the foreseeable future.

Trade Elvis Merzlikins

Elvis Merzlikins has served the Blue Jackets well in his career. That said, at age 32, it may be time to move on. He had his worst season in years, going 14-11-3 with a 3.40 goals-against average and an ugly .833 save percentage as he ceded control of the crease to Greaves.

Merzlikins still has value, but the $5.4 million in cap space would serve the Blue Jackets better. Finding a taker will be tough, but a team in need of goaltending could be more willing to make a move since he has just one more season left on his contract.

Sign Alex Tuch

One of the things keeping the Blue Jackets from true contention is an elite forward. Fantilli and Marchenko have had flashes but haven’t ascended to that level yet. And while Tuch isn’t a true “superstar,” he would instantly make the Blue Jackets better.

Tuch is a multi-time 30-goal scorer, kills penalties, and plays defense at an elite level. Those are all traits that the Blue Jackets’ top-six would kill for. While it may not be ideal to give him $10.5 million per season for seven years, it would be the kind of splash move that makes the team better now and signals a change in philosophy from the organization.

It’s Time to Progress as a Franchise

The Blue Jackets feel like they are stuck in the same cycle. They have a season where they make a push for a playoff spot, fall short, and regress as they hope for internal improvement. They can’t get to the next step without growth from guys like Fantilli, Marchenko, Kent Johnson , Cole Sillinger, and Denton Mateychuk.

That being said, a major splash, either in free agency or by acquiring a big-name forward like Dylan Larkin, would show the fan base that this group is serious about winning. The Blue Jackets have the cap flexibility to make all of this work, setting them up nicely for the next few years.