The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced four cuts to their 2025 training camp roster.

The team has sent goalie Evan Gardner back to the WHL, where he will rejoin the Saskatoon Blades. Last season with the club, Gardner posted a 23-13-5 record in 44 games along with a 2.82 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.

They also cut forward Owen Griffin, who will return to the Oshawa Generals for the 2025-26 season. With Oshawa last year, he scored 22 goals and added 29 assists for 51 points in 62 games. He was also impressive in the playoffs, putting up 29 points in 21 games.

The other two players cut were forward Nicholas Sima and defenseman Marcus Kearsey. Since both were on amateur tryout contracts, they have simply been released.

Sima will likely return to the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL, where he has spent the last three seasons. The 20-year-old is entering his final season of eligibility and will be looking to turn it into either another tryout or a pro contract. Last year with Saginaw, he recorded 18 goals and 17 assists for 35 points in 62 games.

As for Kearsey, he will head back to the Charlottetown Islanders of the QMJHL, where he served as captain last season. In 46 games, he notched seven goals and 21 assists for 28 points. He will aim to build on that production with a full season ahead. It is also worth noting that Kearsey is set to attend Northeastern University of the NCAA in 2026-27.

Blue Jackets Blanked By Buffalo In Preseason Game #2 The Blue Jackets were held scoreless by Buffalo goalies Alexandar Georgiev and Devon Levi in the first game of a home-and-home series with the Sabres on Monday night. 

Blue Jackets Prospect Eyeing Opening Night Roster Spot With NHL training camps in full swing, the Columbus Blue Jackets have a big season in front of them. The offseason did not bring a ton of changes, but it still feels like there is room for a few prospects to push for an opening-night spot. And even if they do not make it right away, there is one player in particular fans should be watching closely.

Blue Jackets Take Down Blues In Preseason Game #1 Brendan Gaunce, Luca Del Bel Belluz, Dmitri Voronkov, and Mathieu Olivier scored the goals for Columbus, and the goalie tandem of Ivan Fedotov and Evan Gardner was very good in a 4-1 Blue Jackets preseason win.

From The Archive: Mike Check The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features.