Ranking 10 Greatest โคColumbus Blue Jackets Players
The Columbus Blue Jackets, established in 2000, have built a history marked by dedicated โplayers and memorable moments. Identifying the “greatest” is โsubjective, but this ranking considers impact,โ longevity, statistical achievement, and contributionโฃ to the โคfranchise’s โคgrowth.
1) Nicklas Foligno
For many,Nicklas Foligno is the Blue Jackets. Drafted in 2006,Foligno embodied leadership โขand grit during his 10 seasons inโข Columbus. He served as captain from 2015-2021, leading the team to unprecedented playoff success, including the franchise’sโ first-ever playoff series win in 2019.Beyond his leadership, Foligno consistently delivered offensively, scoring 162 goals and 355 points in 728 games with the team. His commitment to the city and fanbase cemented hisโ legacy as a Blue Jackets icon.
2) Zach Werenski
One of the most dynamic defensemen in Blue Jackets history, Zach Werenski has quickly risen to โคprominence since beingโข drafted eighth overall in 2015. Despite playing his college hockey for the Michigan Wolverines, he’s become a cornerstone in Columbus, playing โฃnear Ohio State University. Werenski is the team’s leading defenseman, contributing significantly in all situations. He recently signed a long-term contract extension through 2028 and enjoyed a career year in 2022-23, with 23 goals and 59 assists, finishing as a Norris Trophyโข runner-up.
3) Cam Atkinson
Acquired โin a trade with the Atlanta Thrashers, Cam Atkinsonโ spent 10 โขseasons with โthe Blue Jackets, becoming โคa โfan favorite known for his speed, skill, and relentless work ethic. He holds the franchise record for goals (210) andโ consistently provided offensive spark. Atkinson reached the 30-goal mark three timesโข and โwas a key contributor toโ the team’s playoff runs,โ including the 2019 series victory.
4) Seth Jones
Aโ highly skilled and impactful defenseman, Seth Jones played six seasons with the Blue Jackets after being acquired in a trade with the Nashville Predators.He quickly established himself as a โฃtop-pairing defenseman, logging notable minutes and contributing offensively.โ Jones consistently showcased his skating ability and puck-moving skills,becoming a vital part of โtheโค team’s defensive core.
5) Steve Mason
Thrust intoโ the starting โrole in November 2008 due to injury, Steve Masonโ quickly excelled, earningโ League Rookie of the month โฃhonors and a spot in the โNHL YoungStars Game. He led โคthe Blue jackets to their first-ever playoff appearance in 2009, despite a first-round sweep by the Detroit Red Wings. Mason’s outstanding performance earned him the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s โtop rookie andโ Vezina Trophy consideration. He โคremains the most โคrecent goaltender to win the Calder.
6) R.J. Umberger
Acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers in 2008, R.J.Umberger immediately โฃmade anโฃ impact, scoringโ 26 goals inโฃ his first season with Columbus and netting the franchise’s first-ever postseason goal. A consistent offensive contributor, โhe surpassed the 20-goal mark in four of hisโข six seasons with the teamโฃ beforeโ being tradedโ back to the Flyers in 2014.
7) David Vybornรฝ
An original member of the blue Jackets, drafted by Edmonton but signed by Columbus in 2000,โ David Vybornรฝ was a key offensive player in the franchise’s early years.He accumulated 109 points inโฃ his first three โseasons and continued to be a consistent scorer, achieving a career-best 64 points in both the 2005-06โ and 2006-07 seasons.
8) Ray Whitney
Despite a relatively short โข2.5-season stintโข with the Blueโ Jackets, “Wizard” Ray Whitney left a lasting impression.acquired from the Florida Panthers in 2001, he quickly becameโ a key offensive player, recording 140 โpoints โin 151 games and even serving as team captain for the 2002-03 season.
9) Jakub Vorรกฤek
While he later became a star in Philadelphia,Jakub Vorรกฤek spent his early NHL years with the Blue Jackets after being drafted in 2007. โHe showed flashes of brilliance โduring his time in Columbus, developing into a skilled offensive player before being traded to the Flyers.
10) Pascalโฃ leclaire
Pascal Leclaire was a key goaltender for โthe โคBlue โJackets during the late 2000s. Acquired in a trade, he provided solid goaltendingโฃ and was considered the team’s starter before injuries hampered his career. He played a crucial role in the team’s firstโข playoff appearance โฃin 2009, though an injury sidelined him during the series.