The Columbus Blue Jackets had a difficult but successful 2024-25 season. This season, they hope to build on that momentum with added pieces. While the moves were few and far between, they still have a roster that is going to do enough to gain a playoff spot. A lot has to repeat from last season , but a few players will have to step up for Columbus to take that next step.
Offseason transactions
The only trade that GM Don Waddell made was bringing in center Charlie Coyle in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche, Coyle will help the middle six defensively and add additional scoring. He will also help the penalty kill, something considered a specialty of his.
Additionally, the following players were signed to deals for the upcoming season. Defenseman Christian Jaros (one-year, two-way), Ivan Provorov (seven-year deal), and Dysin Mayo (one-year, two-way deal). For example, Forwards Isac Lundestrom (two-year deal), and Hudson Fasching (one-year, two-way deal) were signed for depth. Re-signed were left wingers Mikael Pyyhria (one-year, two-way deal), and defenseman Daemon Hunt (one-year, two-way deal).
Can Chinakhov be a pivotal piece?
Young forward Yegor Chinakhov has been good during his short NHL career. After 175 NHL games, he has 71 points, which is close to 30 points per season in an average year. Last season he was productive in adding seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 30 games.
However, for the Blue Jackets to keep that momentum from last season, he will need to be more productive. The 21st pick in the 2020 NHL Draft has a bright future and has the skills to be successful. A 50-point season is not out of reach for him but he needs to stay healthy. If that happens he could be a pivotal piece to the team's success this season.
Will Fedotov make an impact?
Waddell made a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers , acquiring 6-foot-8 and 214-pound goaltender Ivan Fedotov in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick. The 2015 seventh-round pick is 28 years old but relatively new to the NHL. it is unclear what his role will be. Will he be the backup with Columbus or will he be sent to the American Hockey League? Training camp may answer that question but as of now the Blue Jackets have three solid, NHL-ready goaltenders competing for two spots.
Columbus has a good solid team from top to bottom. While they had a few additions to the roster for the upcoming season, they kept kept a majority of last season's roster together. This may be important down the stretch as they now have a group that has been to battle as a group and knows what it is like. Sometimes keeping the same roster is not a bad thing.