COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus Blue Jackets are re-signing veteran center Charlie Coyle to a lengthy extension that keeps him on the team past the 2020s.
The team announced on Tuesday that Coyle, 34, has signed a six-year contract extension worth $36 million that will keep him in Columbus through the 2031-32 season. Coyle was traded to the Blue Jackets last June by the Colorado Avalanche.
“Charlie made a tremendous impact on and off the ice for us last season and keeping him in Columbus was a priority,” said the Blue Jackets’ president of hockey operations Don Waddell. “He is the definition of a true pro, and a durable, reliable, productive right-shot center whose leadership, character and consistency are extremely valuable in this league.”
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Coyle played every single game for the Blue Jackets in the 2025-26 season, scoring 20 goals and providing 38 assists for a total of 58 points. This was his best scoring season in the NHL since he amassed 60 points for the Boston Bruins in 2023-24.
The Massachusetts native has played seven seasons for both the Minnesota Wild and Bruins and would reach that same mark if he plays in Columbus throughout the remainder of this contract.
He will hope to be among the leaders to break the Blue Jackets’ lengthy playoff drought. Columbus has failed to advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for six consecutive seasons, last appearing in the 2019-20 campaign.
The last two seasons, the Blue Jackets were alive for a playoff spot near the end of the year but failed to crack through. Coach Rick Bowness, who went on a post-game tirade last month after the season finale, is returning to Columbus for the 2026-27 season.
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