COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Blue Jackets are looking to break a five-year playoff drought after falling short by just two points last season.
What You Need To Know
The Blue Jackets aim to improve on defense to make the post season
The team will look for recent depth acquisitions to improve defense up the middle
The Jackets are looking to break a five-year playoff drought
“It was a step in the right direction,” Mathieu Olivier said when asked about last season. “You could say it was a big one, but it really felt like everyone left with a bad taste in their mouth just missing out by that much and knowing how we played and what occurred throughout the year and all that. Everyone gave us props, and obviously we were proud of the step we took, but it felt like everyone knew the step was a little too short and we didn’t accomplish what we wanted to.”
The team aims to improve on the defensive end in the 2025-2026 season.
General Manager Don Waddell did not make any signings on the defensive side, but re-signed Dante Fabbro to a four year, $4.1 million contract and Ivan Provorov to seven year, $8.5 million contract.
The Blue Jackets are looking for talent in the middle, like recent trade acquisition from the Colorado Avalanche center Charlie Coyle, to provide versatility on the defensive and offensive end. Coyle ranked 17th in the NHL in takeaways with 42.
Waddell brought in more depth signings like Isac Lunderstrom to bolster the team’s defense up the middle. Lunderstrom will most likely play on the fourth line and on the PK this season.
After Denton Mateychuk’s immediate impact last season during his rookie debut, the team will also expect him to assume a larger role.
The Jackets will travel to face the Nashville Predators to open the season on Thursday at 8 p.m.