Blue Jackets Benefiting From Big Off-Season Move

Following the 2025-26 season, the Columbus Blue Jackets signed Charlie Coyle to a six-year, $36 million contract extension. 

Coyle was eligible to hit the free agent market on July 1, but the Blue Jackets worked quickly to avoid this from occurring. When noting that he posted 20 goals and 58 points in 82 games for Columbus last season, it was not too surprising that the Blue Jackets kept him around on this long-term deal.

Now, the Blue Jackets' decision to extend Coyle is paying off early on this season. This is because he has once again been one of the Blue Jackets' top players so far in 2026-27. 

In 15 games this season with the Blue Jackets so far, Coyle has posted three goals, 10 assists, 13 points, and a plus-2 rating. With this, he ranks second on the Blue Jackets in assists and third in points. Thus, he has been having a strong start to the season for Columbus. 

Coyle has also been playing well as of late, as he has five points over his last five games. This included him recording two goals and two assists in the Blue Jackets' 7-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 3. 

It will now be interesting to see if Coyle can continue to shine for the Blue Jackets as this season carries on. If he does, it would help Columbus' chances of moving up the Metropolitan Division standings.