The Columbus Blue Jackets haven’t seen playoff hockey in 5 straight seasons, however 2024-25 was a serious enchancment. They might end fourth within the Metropolitan Division. The staff nonetheless had must fill on this 2025 NHL offseason, however they didn’t have NHL Free Company interval. Normal supervisor Don Waddell was not fully stagnant, although, making a commerce to enhance the roster.
After lacking the playoffs by simply two factors, there was an expectation that Columbus could be aggressive within the offseason. The staff had two first-round picks, however would use each of them. The entrance workplace additionally had loads of cap area to work with. The offense was strong, sitting sixth within the NHL in targets per sport, however they wanted so as to add one thing to the powerplay. The staff additionally struggled on each protection and the penalty kill, and a serious motive for that was goaltending.
With draft capital and cap area, the staff was in a chief place to make big-time transactions within the offseason.
NHL Free Company was a miss in Columbus
The 2025 NHL Free Company interval for the Jackets was nothing wanting a catastrophe. After buying and selling away Daniil Tarasov to the Florida Panthers, the staff might have upgraded their goaltending place behind Elvis Merzlikins, or probably have introduced in a participant to contend for the beginning job with him. As a substitute, they are going to be operating with Jet Greaves because the backup, who has spent a lot of his profession within the AHL.
In the meantime, the staff overpaid to convey again Ivan Provorov. Whereas the blue liner is a strong participant, the previous fifth total choose didn’t warrant a seven-year deal that was value $8.5 million per 12 months. He’s a participant who’s constantly on the ice, hardly ever lacking a sport. Additional, he helps out on the powerplay and penalty kill. Nonetheless, bringing him again simply retains the established order, they usually have paid him as a top-20 defenseman within the NHL.
It was not all doom and gloom for the offseason. They prolonged Dante Fabbro on a team-friendly deal. Fabbro might pair with Zach Werenski on the highest line subsequent 12 months. Additionally they retained Dmitri Voronokov, who has continued to develop as a participant. They struck out on discovering main free brokers total, principally returning gamers, so one of the best strikes they made all surrounded one commerce.
Miles Wooden is a pleasant addition
The Colorado Avalanche wanted to open up cap area this summer season, and the Jackets have been the beneficiary of simply that. The Avalanche traded Miles Wooden and Charlie Coyle in alternate for Gavin Brindley and two draft picks. Wooden was the a centesimal total number of the New Jersey Devils in 2013. He would break into the NHL for the primary time in 2015-16, taking part in one sport with the staff. He spent 2023-24 and 24-25 with the Avalanche, after signing a six-year cope with the staff in the summertime of 2023 in free company.
The Buffalo native will not be a serious goal-scoring menace. Essentially the most occasions he has lit the lamp in a season is simply 19, again in 2017-18. Nonetheless, he has reliably averaged over 25 factors per 12 months when on the ice. The ahead performed simply 37 video games in 2024-25 with the Avs, coping with accidents. What makes him a strong addition is his physicality. He had 48 hits in simply 37 video games in 2024-25. Additional, he has exceeded 100 hits in a season 3 times in his NHL profession.
He has additionally proven to be strong on the penalty kill, which was an space of want for the Blue Jackets. Wooden will not be going to be a participant who will make an enormous affect, however he does give some enchancment to the franchise. One of the best a part of the commerce was the opposite piece the staff introduced in.
The Blue Jackets’ good transfer is for Charlie Coyle
Coyle can also be heading to Columbus as a part of the commerce with the Avalanche. He was the twenty eighth total choose of the San Jose Sharks in 2010, however could be traded earlier than suiting up for the franchise. The American-born ahead has hung out with the Minnesota Wild, Boston Bruins, and the Avalanche in his NHL profession. He has scored 40 or extra factors in three of the final 4 seasons, whereas having 15 or extra targets in every of them.
Coyle additionally brings each regular-season and playoff expertise. He has performed 950 video games in his NHL profession, whereas additionally taking part in in 126 playoff contests. He’s a strong middle-six ahead who will convey veteran management to an in any other case younger group of forwards. Whereas not the largest transfer the staff might have made this 12 months, he’s a pleasant comfort prize for the franchise.
Total, this was a summer season of misses for the franchise. They needed to make use of their cap room to go after Mitch Marner, however Marner didn’t need to go there. The entrance workplace was additionally reportedly in on Mason Marchment earlier than the Dallas Stars moved him to the Seattle Kraken. They did make the one strong commerce, bringing in Coyle and Wooden, however that primarily replaces Justin Danforth and Sean Kuraly. With out a main improve, this staff will as soon as once more be on the surface wanting in come playoff time.