The Columbus Blue Jackets are heading into the 2025-26 season with a roster that's starting to take shape, thanks to some recent moves by General Manager Don Waddell. After a busy draft, the focus now shifts to free agency as the team looks to solidify its forward lines.
Forwards in the Mix
Several players are expected to be key contributors to the Blue Jackets' forward group in the upcoming season. Boone Jenner, Sean Monahan, and Kirill Marchenko are likely to form a top line, while Kent Johnson and Adam Fantilli are also expected to play significant roles. Yegor Chinakhov and Cole Sillinger are other forwards who could play in the top nine. Dmitri Voronkov is also expected to be a key player up front, coming off a career-high 23-goal season.
New Additions
The Blue Jackets recently acquired center Charlie Coyle and winger Miles Wood from the Colorado Avalanche. Coyle, a right-shot center, brings experience and versatility, capable of playing in any situation and even on the wing if needed. Wood adds speed and disruption to the bottom-six, with the potential to contribute offensively. These acquisitions address some of the questions surrounding the Blue Jackets' bottom-six.
Free Agency Decisions
The Blue Jackets have several unrestricted free agents (UFAs) to make decisions on, including James van Riemsdyk, Christian Fischer, and Justin Danforth. Waddell may revisit some of these situations, such as van Riemsdyk, but it seems likely that most will test the free agency market. The team also needs to make qualifying offers to restricted free agents (RFAs) like Dmitri Voronkov and Mikael Pyyhtia. With Voronkov coming off a strong season, he is due for a raise and could potentially be a target for offer sheets, though Waddell isn't concerned due to the team's cap space.
Projected Forward Lines
Based on the current roster and recent acquisitions, here's a possible projection of the Blue Jackets' forward lines for the 2025-26 season:
Prospects to Watch
Several prospects could also compete for roster spots. Jordan Dumais and Gavin Brindley are promising players, although another season in the AHL might be best for their development. Other prospects to keep an eye on include Luca Pinelli, Oiva Keskinen, and James Malatesta.
Areas for Improvement
While the Blue Jackets' forwards showed promise in the 2024-25 season, there's still room for improvement. Acquiring a scoring winger to play on the second line with Johnson and Fantilli could be a priority. The fourth line could also use a boost, with a need for a center and potentially another winger.
Offseason Outlook
The Blue Jackets are expected to be active in free agency as they look to add veteran firepower and address their needs on the wing. With approximately $28.5 million in projected cap space, the team has the flexibility to make significant additions. GM Don Waddell has made it clear that upgrading the top two lines of defense is also a priority, potentially through trades or free agency.
Overall, the Columbus Blue Jackets are in a good position to improve their roster and compete for a playoff spot in the 2025-26 season. With a mix of established players, promising prospects, and potential free-agent additions, the team's forward group is shaping up to be a key strength.
