40-33-9. 89 points (4th Metro, 9th conference, 20th overall)
3.26 GF/GP, 8th; 3.26 GA/GP, 25th
19.5 PP%, 22nd; 77.0 PK%, 22nd
Key losses: F Justin Danforth, F Sean Kuraly
Key additions: F Charlie Coyle, F Miles Wood
Expected lineup:
Boone Jenner – Sean Monahan – Kirill Marchenko
Dimitri Voronkov – Adam Fantilli – Kent Johnson
Yegor Chinakhov – Charlie Coyle – Cole Sillinger
Miles Wood – Isaac Lundestrom - Mathieu Oliver
Zach Werenski – Dante Fabbro
Danton Mateychuk – Ivan Provorov
Damon Severson – Erik Gudbransson
Elvis Merzlikins – Jet Greaves
PP1: Jenner – Monahan – Marchenko – Werenski - Johnson
PP2: Voronkov – Coyle – Chinakhov – Provorov - Fantilli
5x5
Columbus improved by 26 goals at even-strength, going from 175, 5x5 (11th in 2024-25) to 201 (first in the league this past season). This production occurred despite the passing of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan missing 28 games and Boone Jenner limited to 28 contests. Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko both increased their production to make up for those absences.
Monahan, in his first year in Columbus, finished with 57 points in 54 contests. Kent Johnson exceeded his combined production from the prior two seasons while Dimitri Vorankov continued his growth. The Blue Jackets’ top-six is dangerous while Charlie Coyle, added this offseason, and Yegor Chinakhov should help scoring at even-strength from the third line.
Zack Werenski is in the discussion as one of the best blueliners in the league. The addition of Dante Fabbro off waivers enabled Werenski to get to the next level in his development. Ivan Provorov and Denton Mateychuk each should contribute from the back line, as should Damon Severson.
PP
Monahan is slated to start the season back in the bumper role, positioning that helped Columbus improve from 31st in the league to 22nd last season. The Blue Jackets have several forwards who are dangerous on the man advantage, comprised of the top-two lines and Chinakhov. Coyle should play the bumper on the second unit, filling the Monahan role.
At some point, Fantilli is likely to move up to the top unit. If that happens, bump his production substantially. Eventually, Danton Mateychuk will man the point on the second unit, though that change may be a year away. The talent up front should allow the Blue Jackets to move further up the rankings on the man-advantage this year.
All stats courtesy of naturalstattrick.com, moneypuck.com, hockeyviz.com, allthreezones.com, hockey-reference.com, eliteprospects.com unless otherwise noted.