The Columbus Blue Jackets will certainly be looking for better results next season than they had in 2025-26. Due to a tough finish to the campaign, the Blue Jackets extended their playoff drought to six years. 

If the Blue Jackets hope to take that next step in 2026-27 and get into the playoffs, they are going to need their top players to be on their A-game. However, they also have some notable players who will be looking to put together bounce-back years next season.

Because of this, let's look at three specific Blue Jackets who have the potential to bounce back in 2026-27. 

One player who the Blue Jackets are certainly hoping will turn things around is forward Kent Johnson. The 2025-26 season was a hard year for the 23-year-old forward, as he posted seven goals and 22 points in 76 games. He was also healthy scratched at times last season. 

However, when looking at Johnson's past seasons, it is clear that he has the potential to bounce back next season. Just back during the 2024-25 season with Columbus, the 2021 fifth-overall pick set career highs with 24 goals, 33 assists, and 57 points in 68 games. He also had 16 goals and 40 points in 79 games for Columbus in 2022-23. If he gets back to offensive totals like these, it would be very good news for Columbus. 

Sean Monahan is another forward who the Blue Jackets need to bounce back next season. After posting 19 goals and an impressive 57 points in just 54 games for the Blue Jackets in 2024-25, he followed that up by recording 13 goals and 36 points in 78 games last season.

Overall, it was simply a down season offensively for Monahan in 2025-26. While expecting him to produce over a point per game again next season may be a stretch, it would not be surprising if we see an increase in his offense compared to this past season. 

Conor Garland is another bounce-back candidate for the Blue Jackets next season. The 30-year-old forward saw a dip in offensive production last season, posting 12 goals and 33 points in 71 games split between the Vancouver Canucks and Blue Jackets.

Yet, when noting that Garland posted at least 17 goals and 46 points from 2021-22 and 2024-25, it is clear that he has the potential to have a better year in 2025-26. Keep in mind, just back in 2024-25 with Vancouver, he recorded 19 goals and 50 points in 81 games. 

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