Columbus Blue Jackets (Official Thread)

[Mike80]

Just sayin': According to this site the Blue Jackets are $12,325,353 under the salary cap.

https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/yearly

Did they even try to get a good free agent for this season?

NHL Free Agent Tracker | NHL.com

Comprehensive list of signings by team, available players

www.nhl.com

NHL Free Agent Tracker​

Comprehensive list of signings by team, available players

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS​

Signed​

Provorov signs 7-year contract with Blue Jackets
Sillinger signs 1-year contract with Blue Jackets
Lundestrom signs 2-year contract with Blue Jackets
Voronkov signs 2-year contract with Blue Jackets
Mayo signs 1-year contract with Blue Jackets
Pyyhtia signs 1-year contract with Blue Jackets
Hunt signs 1-year contract with Blue Jackets
Fasching signs 1-year contract with Blue Jackets

Free Agents​

Group 2 Restricted Free Agents: Daemon Hunt (re-signed), Mikael Pyyhtia (re-signed), Dmitri Voronkov (re-signed).

Group 3 Unrestricted Free Agents: Justin Danforth (signed: BUF), Christian Fischer (retired), Dylan Gambrell, Jack Johnson (signed: PTO with MIN), Luke Kunin (signed: FLA), Sean Kuraly (signed: BOS), Kevin Labanc (signed: PTO with CAR), Joseph LaBate (signed: VAN), Ivan Provorov (re-signed), Owen Sillinger (re-signed), James van Riemsdyk (signed: DET).

Group 6 Unrestricted Free Agents: Trey Fix-Wolansky (signed: NYR).

Unrestricted Free Agents (did not receive qualifying offer): Ole Julian Bjorgvik-Holm (signed: Cleveland of AHL), Cole Clayton (signed: SJS), Jordan Harris (signed: BOS), Samuel Knazko (signed: Vitkovice of Czechia).

So for the first part - it takes two to tango. Players have to want to play in Columbus for them to sign.

The other thing is this team doesn't have a personnel problem as much as it has a maturity problem. The younger guys especially need to learn how to finish games because that's clearly an issue this season.

Does the roster still need improvement? Yes. And it will be once Elvis's stupid contract isn't around anymore. I thought they might be a year away going into the season and they've mostly underperformed. The talent is there, I think, but they aren't quite getting the job done for whatever reason.

The real issue is the 3rd period leads lost. Every team is going to lose some of these games, and I'm not too worried about losing a game that is 1-0 or 2-1 going into the 3rd. Those are going to happen. It's the multi-goal blown leads that are killing them. Here's a partial list mostly from memory but with a scenario from GoogleAI

• November 10, 2025 @ Edmonton Oilers: The Blue Jackets blew two separate two-goal leads in the third period and lost 5-4 in overtime (OT).
• November 15, 2025 vs. New York Rangers: Columbus held a 1-0 lead in the third period but allowed the tying goal and lost 2-1 in a shootout (SO).
• November 22, 2025 @ Detroit Red Wings: The team surrendered a two-goal third-period lead and lost 4-3 in overtime.
• November 26, 2025 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: Columbus led 1-0 late into the third period but allowed a tying goal and lost 2-1 in overtime.
• November 28, 2025 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: The Blue Jackets lost a 3-1 lead in the third period, eventually losing 4-3 in overtime.
• December 6, 2025 @ Florida Panthers: Columbus blew a multi-goal third-period lead in a high-scoring game and lost 7-6 in overtime.
• December 13, 2025 vs. Vegas Golden Knights: Yegor Chinakhov scored early in the third period for a 2-1 lead, but the team surrendered two goals to lose 3-2 in regulation.
• December 20, 2025 @ Anaheim Ducks: The Blue Jackets held a lead in the third period but eventually lost 4-3 in overtime.
• December 31, 2025 vs. New Jersey Devils: Columbus held a 2-0 lead entering the third period but allowed three unanswered goals and lost 3-2 in regulation.
• January 4, 2026 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: The Blue Jackets blew a three-goal third-period lead and ultimately lost 5-4 in overtime.

The 3 games in red were games that "happen" to everyone.

If they just hold on to win the multi-goal leads, which should be every "good" team, that's at least 8 more points, and those 8 points would have them as the 2 seed in the Metro.

=================================

Just sayin' - it's not the roster, it's how the team finishes games. Something has to change.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

So for the first part - it takes two to tango. Players have to want to play in Columbus for them to sign.

The other thing is this team doesn't have a personnel problem as much as it has a maturity problem. The younger guys especially need to learn how to finish games because that's clearly an issue this season.

Does the roster still need improvement? Yes. And it will be once Elvis's stupid contract isn't around anymore. I thought they might be a year away going into the season and they've mostly underperformed. The talent is there, I think, but they aren't quite getting the job done for whatever reason.

The real issue is the 3rd period leads lost. Every team is going to lose some of these games, and I'm not too worried about losing a game that is 1-0 or 2-1 going into the 3rd. Those are going to happen. It's the multi-goal blown leads that are killing them. Here's a partial list mostly from memory but with a scenario from GoogleAI

• November 10, 2025 @ Edmonton Oilers: The Blue Jackets blew two separate two-goal leads in the third period and lost 5-4 in overtime (OT).
• November 15, 2025 vs. New York Rangers: Columbus held a 1-0 lead in the third period but allowed the tying goal and lost 2-1 in a shootout (SO).
• November 22, 2025 @ Detroit Red Wings: The team surrendered a two-goal third-period lead and lost 4-3 in overtime.
• November 26, 2025 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: Columbus led 1-0 late into the third period but allowed a tying goal and lost 2-1 in overtime.
• November 28, 2025 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: The Blue Jackets lost a 3-1 lead in the third period, eventually losing 4-3 in overtime.
• December 6, 2025 @ Florida Panthers: Columbus blew a multi-goal third-period lead in a high-scoring game and lost 7-6 in overtime.
• December 13, 2025 vs. Vegas Golden Knights: Yegor Chinakhov scored early in the third period for a 2-1 lead, but the team surrendered two goals to lose 3-2 in regulation.
• December 20, 2025 @ Anaheim Ducks: The Blue Jackets held a lead in the third period but eventually lost 4-3 in overtime.
• December 31, 2025 vs. New Jersey Devils: Columbus held a 2-0 lead entering the third period but allowed three unanswered goals and lost 3-2 in regulation.
• January 4, 2026 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: The Blue Jackets blew a three-goal third-period lead and ultimately lost 5-4 in overtime.

The 3 games in red were games that "happen" to everyone.

If they just hold on to win the multi-goal leads, which should be every "good" team, that's at least 8 more points, and those 8 points would have them as the 2 seed in the Metro.

=================================

Just sayin' - it's not the roster, it's how the team finishes games. Something has to change.

You forgot the most egregious where they had a 1-0 lead on the Isles with less than 2 minutes left and lost 2-1 in regulation.

It’s hard to figure what’s wrong. When they were doing this a couple years ago under Larsen, you could see then turtling in the 3rd. Their entire style changed — they made zero attempt to do anything other than clear the zone and make a change. I don’t see that as much under Evason. They still seem to be trying to play their game and get the breakouts going, it just isn’t working.

At some point, it’s just a mental block or something. It’s not like the opponent just magically decides to try harder and the Jackets decide to quit. I think they need a team psychologist more than anything else.

 

[Mike80]

You forgot the most egregious where they had a 1-0 lead on the Isles with less than 2 minutes left and lost 2-1 in regulation.

It’s hard to figure what’s wrong. When they were doing this a couple years ago under Larsen, you could see then turtling in the 3rd. Their entire style changed — they made zero attempt to do anything other than clear the zone and make a change. I don’t see that as much under Evason. They still seem to be trying to play their game and get the breakouts going, it just isn’t working.

At some point, it’s just a mental block or something. It’s not like the opponent just magically decides to try harder and the Jackets decide to quit. I think they need a team psychologist more than anything else.

Well even if I'd remembered it, 1 goal leads are going to lose sometimes, it's just the nature of the game. I mean last night's game against the shitbirds from shitzburgh, they had a 1 goal lead with 13 seconds left - and that was after already blowing 2 of the 3 goal lead.

Just win the multi-goal games and they are easily in the playoffs. It's gotta be a mental thing at this point. It also means that things should even out at some point.

 

[Mike80]

Elvis is basically unplayable at this point.

But when your shot chart looks like this, you’re not going to win in the NHL

 

[Thump]

Turds.

 

[OHSportsFan]

 

[Mike80]

Had to happen.

The talent to be a playoff team is there but there's an element missing. If they don't think it's talent, then it's coaching. Given the number of 3rd period blown leads and the sometimes completely lost look they have on defense, firing Evason and McCarthy makes sense. McCarthy has needed to go for a while.

I thought Evason was on a good track but it's clear there's a disconnect so it was time to restart.

The CBJ aren't quite in win now mode, but next year for certain is playoffs or bust. You have Fantilli being an RFA this year, but the big one is Marchenko coming due after the 26-27 season and then Werenski the following year. If they aren't a perennial contender by the end of 2027-2028, there's no way Werenski re-signs in Columbus.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Blue Jackets part ways with head coach Dean Evason, assistant coach Steve McCarthy, name Rick Bowness head coach | Columbus Blue Jackets

Bowness most recently served as the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets from 2022-24, leading the club to back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

www.nhl.com

Bowness, 70, most recently served as the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets from 2022-24, leading the club to a 98-57-9 record (.625 pct.) in 164 games and back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He spent the previous two-plus seasons with the Dallas Stars, compiling a 89-62-25 mark (.577) in 176 games from 2019-22. After being named interim head coach in December 2019, he led the club to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final, where they lost a six-game series to the Tampa Bay Lightning. In his final season in Dallas, he led the Stars to a 46-30-6 mark in 2021-22.

“Rick Bowness is a tremendous coach with invaluable experience and knowledge, and he will bring a steadiness to our team at an important juncture in our season,” said Waddell. “He is a good communicator whose teams play with structure, are sound defensively and we believe he is the right person to bring out the best in our group.”

The Moncton, New Brunswick native has compiled a 310-408-48-37 record (W-L-T-OT) in 803 games as an NHL head coach or interim head coach with the Jets, Stars, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins, including a 187-119-0-34 mark in 340 games between 2019-24. He began his coaching career as a player-coach of the American Hockey League’s Sherbrooke Jets in 1982-83 before joining Winnipeg as an assistant coach from 1984-87. He served as the head coach of the AHL’s Moncton Hawks from 1987-91 and had a 28-game stint as Winnipeg’s interim head coach during the 1988-89 campaign.

He spent the 1991-92 season as head coach of the Bruins, guiding the club to a 36-32-12 record and playoff berth before being named head coach of the expansion Senators in 1992. He led the club for three-plus seasons before joining the Islanders as associate coach in 1996. He was named head coach during that campaign and remained in the position through the 1997-98 season. He then spent six years with the Coyotes from 1999-06, including a stint as interim head coach in 2003-04. Over the next 15 seasons, he served on the coaching staffs of the Vancouver Canucks (2006-13), Lightning (2013-18) and Stars (2018-19).

“I appreciate the opportunity to come to Columbus because it is a good organization with good people and this is a team that I think I can help improve,” said Bowness. “I’m thankful to Don and (Blue Jackets President) Mike Priest and I’m really excited to work with our players and coaching staff to help get us where we want to go.”

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

Seems like the necessary move. Reminded me of the ends of Hitchcock’s and Tortorella’s tenures — it just wasn’t clicking with the guys for whatever reason.

 

[Mike80]

Had to happen.

The talent to be a playoff team is there but there's an element missing. If they don't think it's talent, then it's coaching. Given the number of 3rd period blown leads and the sometimes completely lost look they have on defense, firing Evason and McCarthy makes sense. McCarthy has needed to go for a while.

I thought Evason was on a good track but it's clear there's a disconnect so it was time to restart.

The CBJ aren't quite in win now mode, but next year for certain is playoffs or bust. You have Fantilli being an RFA this year, but the big one is Marchenko coming due after the 26-27 season and then Werenski the following year. If they aren't a perennial contender by the end of 2027-2028, there's no way Werenski re-signs in Columbus.

To amplify...

I do think there is enough talent to make the playoffs in the East. I think they have been a big disappointment relative to what this roster is right now.

I don't think they are a true cup contender though. They still need an up the middle scoring threat who can basically go to the net at any time (sorta kinda like a Malkin type power forward) and I think they could use another top-4 dman.

The cap goes up 8.5 million this next season and they will have something like 48 million in cap space. There is ZERO reason to not shoot for the moon in a trade this season for someone with term OR a big FA signing this off-season.

 

[Thump]

Blue Jackets part ways with head coach Dean Evason, assistant coach Steve McCarthy, name Rick Bowness head coach | Columbus Blue Jackets

Bowness most recently served as the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets from 2022-24, leading the club to back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

www.nhl.com

Bowness, 70, most recently served as the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets from 2022-24, leading the club to a 98-57-9 record (.625 pct.) in 164 games and back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He spent the previous two-plus seasons with the Dallas Stars, compiling a 89-62-25 mark (.577) in 176 games from 2019-22. After being named interim head coach in December 2019, he led the club to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final, where they lost a six-game series to the Tampa Bay Lightning. In his final season in Dallas, he led the Stars to a 46-30-6 mark in 2021-22.

“Rick Bowness is a tremendous coach with invaluable experience and knowledge, and he will bring a steadiness to our team at an important juncture in our season,” said Waddell. “He is a good communicator whose teams play with structure, are sound defensively and we believe he is the right person to bring out the best in our group.”

The Moncton, New Brunswick native has compiled a 310-408-48-37 record (W-L-T-OT) in 803 games as an NHL head coach or interim head coach with the Jets, Stars, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins, including a 187-119-0-34 mark in 340 games between 2019-24. He began his coaching career as a player-coach of the American Hockey League’s Sherbrooke Jets in 1982-83 before joining Winnipeg as an assistant coach from 1984-87. He served as the head coach of the AHL’s Moncton Hawks from 1987-91 and had a 28-game stint as Winnipeg’s interim head coach during the 1988-89 campaign.

He spent the 1991-92 season as head coach of the Bruins, guiding the club to a 36-32-12 record and playoff berth before being named head coach of the expansion Senators in 1992. He led the club for three-plus seasons before joining the Islanders as associate coach in 1996. He was named head coach during that campaign and remained in the position through the 1997-98 season. He then spent six years with the Coyotes from 1999-06, including a stint as interim head coach in 2003-04. Over the next 15 seasons, he served on the coaching staffs of the Vancouver Canucks (2006-13), Lightning (2013-18) and Stars (2018-19).

“I appreciate the opportunity to come to Columbus because it is a good organization with good people and this is a team that I think I can help improve,” said Bowness. “I’m thankful to Don and (Blue Jackets President) Mike Priest and I’m really excited to work with our players and coaching staff to help get us where we want to go.”

Turd