The Columbus Blue Jackets packed their preseason in 2025. Although they ended with a record of 2-5-0, the album does not even come close to telling the full story.
In a sense, this training camp and the preseason for the Blue Jackets was a bit unusual. That is because for the most part the schedules were responsible.
With the majority of their most important core of players in 2025-26, this preseason was more about getting back their timing and rhythm than something else. By the end you could see that the team was more than ready to get the regular season going.
There were still many storylines to follow during this preseason. What were three things that we noticed? Let’s discuss them.
Offensive concern?
The blue jackets ended the preseason only scored 14 goals in their seven games. Mathieu Olivier was at the forefront with three goals.
The only other blue jackets that scored more than once were Boone Jenner and Luca del Bel Belluz with two goals each. Del Bel Belluz was cut from the camp and assigned to the Cleveland Monsters, even though they were one of their most striking players.
It is normally to score on average two goals per match. But that is why we have to take into account the nature of the preseason.
At no time in the seven preseason competitions, the Blue Jackets made their actual projected line -up ice cream. Even in the last two games against the capitals that would be considered a rehearsal of dresses, important players missed. Kirill Marchenko did not play on Tuesday evening, while Zach Werenski and Sean Monahan did not play on Saturday evening.
If we get 10 games in the season and the Blue Jackets are on two goals per match, then it is fair to create a concern. Despite their bad record, the team has achieved what they wanted. The players got their feet among them. And more importantly, they came relatively healthy from the preseason, something they couldn’t say last season.
Then consider Coach Dean Evason adapted with a few lines in an attempt to get different looks. Although it did not get production, it answered a few questions for Evason in terms of what to try as soon as the season starts.
Evason was asked prior to the Saturday Capitals competition or he thought his team was better this year than last year. He said yes.
The attack still has the same advantage and potential despite the cold preseason. Healthy coming out was a greater victory than to score a few goals that ultimately do not count.
Defense/GoalTendning
Let’s look at the other side of the story. The Blue Jackets scored 18 goals in their seven preseason games. With 2.57 goals against per match, that is a clear improvement for a team in which many wonder how their defense and goal congregation will do.
Just like the violation, these figures must be taken with a pinch of salt with different line -ups and other factors in the game.
How did the goalkeepers worked? Below are their pre -season statistics.
- Jet Greaves: 1-1-0, 6 Go in 147: 25, 2.44 GAA EN .917 SAVE percentage.
- Elvis Merzlikins: 0-3-0, 7 Go in 145: 53, 2.88 GAA EN .896 SAVE percentage.
Ivan Fedotov, who was assigned to the Cleveland Monsters on Monday, only made two goals in 80 minutes of action for the season.
Evason did not say who will start the opener on Thursday in Nashville. If the decision amounts to straight figures, Greaves performed better than Merzlikins. It will be curious to see what conclusion the blue jackets draw based on what they saw.
The Blue Jackets used this preseason to concentrate on and to refine their pre -check. After the road last season it was not surprised if the team emphasizes the need to play better in their own zone. At least because of their previous season numbers, they were a more yellow team. Will they be able to sustain that?
A focused and urgent team
The latter will not be seen on the TV screen or even on the stands. There was one thing that I noticed during the camp and the preseason that I just couldn’t shake.
There is a new level of urgency for these blue jackets.
That should not come as a surprise, given the way in which last season ended. Had away a few games in their favor, the Blue Jackets could have taste the play -offs.
The Blue Jackets have not been in the play -offs since they were driven by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2020 bubble. That is five consecutive seasons of not tasting the late season.
I asked Erik Gudbranson if he felt that urgency in the room. He did not hesitate when giving a response.
“Yes,” said Gudbranson. “(We) do not end the way we expected last year. At least it has not been my end of no play here. There have been a few boys who are a little longer. They have not made the play -offs for a while and it is time to let something happen.”
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The only player in which you could see that it has an extra level of urgency is Zach Werenski. From a monster season individually, he wants to help the Blue Jackets to come to the next level.
On the Mediadag Werenski admitted that he was in the worlds, reminded him of how much pleasure it is to win. Even in his tone of voice in the entire camp, you could see that he feels that urgency to return to the play -offs. He is just as focused as I have ever seen him seeing his 10th NHL season.
“I am absolutely hungry in such areas where I missed that feeling a bit, I didn’t have enough,” Werenski said. “(I) wants to just bring that here and be part of the solution and be part of the reason why we bring a cup to Columbus.”
The leadership of the Blue Jackets feels the same urgency. It is spread to the rest of the team. They know what is at stake in 2025-26. GM Don Waddell added a few players and kept the same core. There is a conviction.
It is now on the blue jackets to pay for that faith. If their game on the ice matches the urgency of the ice, they could have a good season.
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