Spring Cleaning – Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets once again fell just short of the Stanley Cup Playoffs during the 2025-26 season, extending their postseason drought to six consecutive years. After a dramatic midseason coaching change sparked one of the NHL's best second-half turnarounds, Columbus appeared poised to finally break through before another late-season collapse dashed those hopes. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine why the Blue Jackets continue to struggle in pressure situations, the emergence of several young stars, and the important decisions awaiting General Manager Don Waddell this offseason.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] The Blue Jackets are eliminated from playoff contention on April 13 after another season that began with modest expectations. Neil and Vic discuss how Columbus entered the year as a playoff bubble team following an emotional 2024-25 campaign and why sustaining that momentum proved difficult.

[00:00:45] Columbus struggles through the first half of the season before General Manager Don Waddell makes a coaching change on January 12, replacing Dean Evason with veteran bench boss Rick Bowness. The move immediately energizes the Blue Jackets as they surge back into the playoff race.

[00:01:00] Despite their remarkable turnaround, the Blue Jackets once again falter when the stakes are highest. A disastrous 2-8-1 stretch over their final 11 games erases their playoff position, highlighted by a disappointing season-ending loss to Washington that prompts Rick Bowness to publicly question his team's competitiveness and commitment.

[00:02:00] Neil explains that Columbus' biggest problem isn't talent—it's finishing. Whether protecting leads during games or holding onto playoff positioning in the standings, the Blue Jackets repeatedly fail to close the deal, continuing a troubling pattern that has followed the organization over the past two seasons.

[00:03:00] The discussion turns to the club's promising core. Zach Werenski anchors the defense while Kirill Marchenko, Adam Fantilli, Sean Monahan, Charlie Coyle, Cole Sillinger, Boone Jenner, and emerging goaltender Jet Greaves provide optimism that the talent necessary to compete is already in place.

[00:04:00] Neil and Vic examine Rick Bowness' future after he signs a one-year extension. Following his emotional criticism of the team at season's end, the veteran coach returns determined to change the culture and help Columbus finally overcome its inability to finish important games.

[00:05:00] Looking ahead to the offseason, the Blue Jackets enter the 2026 NHL Draft with all seven of their original selections intact and approximately $8.75 million in projected salary cap space, giving Don Waddell flexibility to strengthen the roster.

[00:05:45] The panel reviews Columbus' unrestricted free agents, including captain Boone Jenner, Charlie Coyle, Mason Marchment, Danton Heinen, Erik Brännström, and Brendan Smith. Neil identifies Jenner, Coyle, and Marchment as important veterans the organization should strongly consider retaining.

[00:06:30] Columbus' restricted free agent class features several key pieces of the franchise's future, including Adam Fantilli, Cole Sillinger, Igor Zamula, and new number-one goaltender Jet Greaves. Fantilli's next contract is expected to become one of the organization's highest offseason priorities.

[00:07:00] The episode concludes with cautious optimism for the Blue Jackets. With an improving young core, a respected veteran coach returning behind the bench, salary cap flexibility, and a full complement of draft picks, Neil believes Columbus has the pieces to become a playoff team—provided they finally learn how to finish games and seize the opportunities in front of them.