The NHL has officially announced the first three games of the 2025-26 regular season [https://x.com/NHLPR/status/1944766088413151409], with the remainder of the schedule to be unveiled on Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET. The Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers] host the Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks] at 5 p.m. ET on Oct. 7. On that night, they will raise their 2025 Stanley Cup banner. The Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] will visit the New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers] at Madison Square Garden at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the Colorado Avalanche [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche] visiting the Los Angeles Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] at 10:30 pm. ET. The rest of the NHL schedule, which will include the Columbus Blue Jackets' full 82-game slate, will be released on July 16. The schedule is usually out by now, but with the 2026 Winter Olympics being factored into the schedule, that could be the reason. Others have speculated that the NHL wanted to wait a little bit longer so we could get an idea of where all the free agents would wind up, thus providing some key matchups of new team vs. old, i.e. Mitch Marner and Nikolaj Ehlers, and all of the Florida Panthers. But now we know where they'll be, the NHL is ready to release it. Stay tuned on Wednesday for the Columbus Blue Jackets schedule release. Let us know what you think below. Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwm-DfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and never miss a story. What Was Your Most Memorable Moment of the 2024-25 Season? [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/342516d1-4229-4d4c-8804-f371ddc8b519.webp] What Was Your Most Memorable Moment of the 2024-25 Season? The 2025-26 Columbus Blue Jackets season had plenty of ups and downs. But today, we're focusing on the ups. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/what-was-your-most-memorable-moment-of-the-2024-25-season] On This Date In Columbus Blue Jackets History: Columbus Signs Johnny Gaudreau [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/4dc0ab58-a31c-4986-ba58-eafccf44bce2.webp] On This Date In Columbus Blue Jackets History: Columbus Signs Johnny Gaudreau On this day three years ago, the CBJ made what could be the biggest free agent signing in NHL history when they signed Johnny Gaudreau. No player of his caliber had ever reached free agency. Players like this are usually locked up long before hitting the open market. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/on-this-date-in-columbus-blue-jackets-history-columbus-signs-johnny-gaudreau] From The Archive: Premonitions Gaudreau [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/b1b78da9-4afe-4e9d-9f66-668ae46aca01.jpeg] From The Archive: Premonitions Gaudreau The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/from-the-archive-premonitions-gaudreau]
