Can the Blue Jackets Finally Return to the Playoffs in 2025-26?
The 2025-26 Columbus Blue Jackets approach the new season as a team caught between two worlds with one foot planted firmly in the realm of ongoing development, and the other reaching for the threshold of genuine contention. They ended their previous season with a six-game winning streak, yet barely lost the final Eastern Conference wildcard spot to the Montreal Canadiens. Down the middle, their center depth is quietly becoming one of their greatest strengths. Adam Fantilli, still early in his career but already exuding the presence of a future franchise cornerstone, is expected to carry much of the offensive load while continuing to round out his two-way game. Boone Jenner remains the emotional heart of the team, a captain who thrives in the gritty areas and can be trusted in any matchup. Sean Monahan brings veteran composure and faceoff prowess, providing the kind of steadying presence young linemates need. Kent Johnson, though more naturally suited to the wing, will get opportunities to prove himself in the middle, offering a burst of creativity and skill that can tilt momentum. Cole Sillinger and Isac Lundestrom add reliable depth, while Zach Aston-Reese gives the group defensive versatility and penalty-killing reliability.
On the wings, the Blue Jackets have assembled an interesting mix of raw scoring talent and heavy forechecking. Kirill Marchenko’s goal-scoring touch remains a vital weapon in their arsenal, and pairing him with a high-end playmaker like Fantilli or Johnson could unlock even greater production. Yegor Chinakhov, still finding his footing, offers an unpredictable offensive spark, while Charlie Coyle’s size, experience, and ability to play center in a pinch give the Jackets' lineup flexibility. Miles Wood brings speed and relentless energy, the kind that can shift momentum in a playoff-style game, while Dmitri Voronkov’s imposing frame and net-front presence make him a physical handful for defenders. Jack Williams remains a developing piece with offensive upside, and Mathieu Olivier will continue to bring a punishing forecheck and defensive awareness on the fourth line. Together, the wings present a balanced mix of size, skill, and grit, though the absence of a true, game-breaking winger outside of Marchenko could keep the top-six from matching the elite teams in the conference.
Defensively, Columbus still leans heavily on the smooth-skating Zach Werenski, whose ability to drive play from the back end remains their single most important element on the blue line. Damon Severson provides a stabilizing two-way game and is capable of handling heavy minutes against strong competition, while Ivan Provorov’s physical edge and ability to block shots keep him a valuable presence. Dante Fabbro’s defensive reliability should help solidify the middle pairings, though the Jackets still lack the kind of elite shutdown duo that can consistently neutralize top lines. Erik Gudbranson, while still a towering, physical presence, has struggled at times to keep pace with faster opposition, and Jake Christiansen will need to prove he can handle NHL minutes with consistency. The defense corps, while serviceable and capable of generating offense from the back end, could be exposed against deep, high-speed teams.
In net, Elvis Merzļikins remains both the great hope and the great question mark. At his best, he has proven capable of stealing games outright, with an athletic style and fearless demeanor that can frustrate even the most talented shooters. However, inconsistency and lapses in rebound control have plagued him in recent seasons, and the lack of proven depth behind him makes his performance all the more critical. If Merzļikins can string together an extended run of form, Columbus’s playoff aspirations grow significantly. In the situation that he falters, they may find themselves forced into more high-scoring affairs than their forward corps is built to handle.
Overall, the 2025–26 Blue Jackets project as a team with clear potential but still lingering fragility. Their center depth is legitimately strong, their wing group is deep enough to roll four competitive lines, and their defense, while not elite, can keep them competitive when fully engaged. Yet, their success will hinge on whether their young offensive stars can take another step forward and whether Merzļikins can deliver steady, top-tier goaltending. If everything clicks, they could push into the playoff picture and become a dangerous first-round opponent. If not, they risk being trapped in the middle ground of being too talented to bottom out, yet not quite polished enough to contend with the NHL’s true heavyweights.
