The Columbus Blue Jackets enter the 2026–27 season with a reshaped roster after a busy offseason that saw them part ways with their longtime captain and add a proven scorer on the wing. The moves signal a push toward competitiveness, blending youth with experienced pieces as they aim to end a six-year playoff drought.
Key Additions
Valeri Nichushkin (RW) – Acquired from Colorado on June 25th in exchange for three draft picks (a 2026 second, 2027 third, and 2028 fifth). The 28-year-old had 17 goals and 32 assists in 72 games last season, bringing size, speed, and top-six scoring punch. He’s expected to slot on the top line with Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko.
Ryan Lomberg (LW) – Signed a two-year, $2.6 million deal ($1.3 million AAV) on July 1st. The 31-year-old brings grit, physicality, and Stanley Cup experience from his time with Florida, adding depth to the bottom six.
Pheonix Copley (G) – Signed as a free agent to provide goaltending depth. The 34-year-old offers NHL experience and stability as a third option behind Jet Greaves and Elvis Merzlikins.
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Key Subtractions
Boone Jenner (C) – Signed a four-year, $23 million deal ($5.75 million AAV) with Washington on July 1st. The 33-year-old captain had 19 goals and 35 points in 56 games last season, a significant loss of leadership, physicality, and middle-six scoring.
Mason Marchment (LW) – Signed a five-year, $33.75 million deal ($6.75 million AAV) with San Jose on July 1st. The 30-year-old had 15 goals and 17 assists in 39 games after being acquired from Seattle, a notable loss of top-nine scoring and physicality.
Core Retained
Columbus kept its young core intact, with Zach Werenski, Kirill Marchenko, Adam Fantilli (RFA, unsigned), Cole Sillinger, Kent Johnson, Dmitri Voronkov, Sean Monahan, Conor Garland, Miles Wood, and Jet Greaves all under contract or expected to re-sign.
Impact on 2026–27
The Blue Jackets’ offseason moves signal a clear push toward competitiveness. Nichushkin adds elite scoring and size to the top six, while Lomberg and Coyle provide veteran depth and grit. The departures of Jenner and Marchment remove leadership and scoring, but the additions should push Columbus up the standings. Expect the Blue Jackets to be in the playoff hunt, with a deeper, more balanced lineup pushing for their first postseason appearance since 2020.
Salary Cap Situation
Projected cap hit – $90,504,999
Roster – 22/23
Projected cap space – $13,495,001
Deadline cap space – $62,334,052
RFA – Adam Fantilli
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Columbus Blue Jackets Depth Chart
Columbus Blue Jackets Depth Chart from PuckPedia.com – Aug. 18th
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Top Columbus Blue Jackets prospects
| Jayd Serdy Dobber Prospects Aug. 15th, 2026 |
Steven Ellis Daily Faceoff July 16th, 2026 |
McKeen’s Hockey May 2nd, 2026 |
Scott Wheeler The Athletic Mar. 24th, 2026 |
|
| 1 | Luca Del Bel Belluz (C) | Jackson Smith (LHD) | Jackson Smith (LHD) | Jackson Smith (LHD) |
| 2 | Cayden Lindstrom (C) | Pyotr Andreyanov (G) | Cayden Lindstrom (C) | Pyotr Andreyanov (G) |
| 3 | Oscar Hemming (LW) | Oscar Hemming (LW) | Pyotr Andreyanov (G) | Cayden Lindstrom (C) |
| 4 | Jackson Smith (LHD) | Cayden Lindstrom (C) | Luca Del Bel Belluz (C) | Sergei Ivanov (G) |
| 5 | Luca Pinelli (C/LW) | Luca Del Bel Belluz (C) | Luca Marrelli (RHD) | Jordan Dumais (RW) |
| 6 | Pyotr Andreyanov (G) | Luca Pinelli (C/LW) | Luca Pinelli (C) | Luca Pinelli (C) |
| 7 | Evan Gardner (G) | Sergei Ivanov (G) | Jordan Dumais (RW) | Luca Del Bel Belluz (C) |
| 8 | Jordan Dumais (RW) | Evan Gardner (G) | William Whitelaw (RW) | Luca Marrelli (RHD) |
| 9 | Sergei Ivanov (G) | Jordan Dumais (RW) | Sergei Ivanov (G) | Evan Gardner (G) |
| 10 | Charlie Elick (RHD) | Charlie Elick (RHD) | Evan Gardner (G) | Charlie Elick (RHD) |
Read more on the top Columbus Blue Jackets prospects heading into the 2026-27 season.
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