columbus Blue Jackets Face Key Questions as 2025-26 Season Approaches
The Columbus blue Jackets enter the 2025-26 season aiming too build on the progress shown late last year and contend for a playoff berth.Several key areas will determine their success, from the development of young players to improvements on defense and a settled goaltending situation.
Can Core Players Continue to Elevate their Game?
A significant portion of the Blue Jackets’ hopes rests on continued growth from their maturing core. Last season saw promising steps forward from several players, and replicating – or exceeding – that production will be crucial. If this group delivers, a playoff push appears within reach.
Defense: A Focus for enhancement
Columbus finished 25th in the NHL in the 2023-24 season, conceding 3.26 goals per game,a factor contributing to their postseason absence. Historically, strong defensive play correlates with playoff success, as the top 15 teams in scoring defense all qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Blue Jackets addressed this area during the offseason, re-signing Ivan Provorov and Dante Fabbro, and relying on the leadership of Zach Werenski. The emergence of Denton Mateychuk late last season also provides optimism. Notably, after Fabbro joined the team in November and Mateychuk was called up in December, Columbus improved to allowing 2.90 goals per game over the final 41 games, ranking 14th in the league. With another year under head coach Brad Evason’s system, the team possesses the ingredients for a stronger defensive unit, but performance will be key.
Goaltending Tandem Takes Shape
The trade of Daniil Tarasov has clarified the goaltending picture,establishing Elvis Merzlikins and Jet Greaves as the expected tandem.The team will also seek a third goaltender for depth. Merzlikins, entering his seventh season with the Blue Jackets – making him one of only three goalies to reach that milestone with the franchise – received praise from Evason and General Manager Don Waddell for his performance last season, including a 43-save outing in the Stadium Series game. However, his season was marked by inconsistency, with 19 starts allowing two or fewer goals contrasted by 12 starts conceding five or more.Greaves arrives with momentum from a strong AHL season and a triumphant finish to his NHL campaign, but lacks experience in a full NHL season and will likely face adjustments from opposing teams. The distribution of playing time between the two will be steadfast during training camp and throughout the season.
Competition for Roster Spots
Despite returning 17 of their top 21 point scorers from the previous season and adding players like Charlie Coyle, Alex Wood, and Isac Lundestrom, opportunities remain for players to earn a place on the opening night roster. The preseason will be a crucial proving ground for prospects like Luca Del Bel Belluz and Jordan Dumais, as well as veteran additions including Hudson Fasching, Brendan Gaunce, Brendan Smith, Christian Jaros, and Dysin Mayo. The Blue Jackets utilized 35 different players last season,demonstrating that a strong training camp can lead to playing time throughout the long season.
