| Columbus Blue Jackets | |
|---|---|
 2025–26 Columbus Blue Jackets season | |
 | |
| Conference | Eastern |
| Division | Metropolitan |
| Founded | 2000 |
| History | Columbus Blue Jackets 2000–present |
| Home arena | Nationwide Arena |
| City | Columbus, Ohio |
 | |
| Team colors | Union blue, goal red, capital silver, white[1][2][3] |
| Media | FanDuel Sports Network Ohio Columbus Alternative (105.7 FM) The Fan (97.1 FM) ESPN Columbus (1460 AM) |
| Owner | John P. McConnell[4] |
| General manager | Don Waddell |
| Head coach | Dean Evason |
| Captain | Boone Jenner |
| Minor league affiliates | Cleveland Monsters (AHL) |
| Stanley Cups | 0 |
| Conference championships | 0 |
| Presidents' Trophies | 0 |
| Division championships | 0 |
| Official website | nhl |
TheColumbus Blue Jackets (colloquially known as theJackets) are a professionalice hockey team based inColumbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets compete in theNational Hockey League (NHL) as a member of theMetropolitan Division in theEastern Conference. The franchise began play as an expansion team in2000.[5]
The franchise struggled in their initial years, failing to win 30 games in a season until2005–06. The team qualified for theStanley Cup playoffs for the first time in2009, but were swept by theDetroit Red Wings in the first round.[6] Columbus did not win a playoff game until the2014 playoffs, and won their first (and only) playoff series in2019 against theTampa Bay Lightning, becoming the first team in NHL history to sweep aPresidents' Trophy winner in the first round. Along with theSeattle Kraken (started play in2021) andUtah Mammoth (2024), the Blue Jackets are one of only three teams in the league who have yet to appear in the conference finals.
The Blue Jackets' name and logos are inspired byOhio's Civil War history. The Blue Jackets play their home games atNationwide Arena in downtown Columbus, which opened in 2000. They are affiliated with theCleveland Monsters of theAHL.[7]
Prior to the establishment of the Blue Jackets, the last NHL team in the state of Ohio was theCleveland Barons, who played from 1976 to 1978. In Columbus, the Blue Jackets replaced theColumbus Chill of theECHL, who played in the city from 1991 to 1999. The Chill played at theOhio Expo Center Coliseum, where they set aminor league hockey record by selling out 83 consecutive games.[8]
In November 1996, five investors formed a partnership called Columbus Hockey Limited, who then submitted an application and a $100,000 fee to the NHL office.[5] The voters of Columbus were considering a referendum to build a publicly financed arena, a major step toward approval of their NHL bid.[9] When League CommissionerGary Bettman visited Columbus to meet with the community's leaders about the franchise proposal, there was concern that the voters might not pass the needed referendum. The civic leaders told Bettman that they would not be willing to foot the bill for the team if the referendum failed. However, just after the meeting adjourned,John H. McConnell (one of those who entered the bid) privately guaranteed Bettman that an arena would be built, referendum or not.[10]
Columbus' hopes for the bid dimmed when the May referendum failed. However,Nationwide announced on May 31, 1997, that it would finance the $150-million arena. Subsequently, on June 25, 1997, the NHL announced that Columbus would receive a new franchise.[5] Afterwards a "Name the Team" contest was held with the help ofWendy's throughout central Ohio during the month of August 1997. The franchise received 14,000 entries and, with help from the NHL, narrowed the list down to 10 names. Then, with the information received from owner McConnell regarding Columbus' history, the league and the franchise narrowed the list of potential names down to two – Blue Jackets and Justice. The former, which referenced Ohio's contributions to theAmerican Civil War, was eventually announced as the team name in November.[1]
On June 23, 2000, the NHL's two newest teams, the Blue Jackets and theMinnesota Wild, took part in the2000 NHL expansion draft inCalgary. Under the draft's rules, 26 of the NHL's active 28 teams were allowed to protect onegoaltender, fivedefensemen, and nineforwards, or two goaltenders, three defensemen, and seven forwards. TheAtlanta Thrashers andNashville Predators both had their full rosters protected because they were the two newest teams, only being in existence for one and two years, respectively. Both the Blue Jackets and Wild had to use their first 24 selections on three goaltenders, eight defensemen, and thirteen forwards. Their final two picks could be players of any position.[11]
With the first-overall choice, the Blue Jackets selected goaltenderRick Tabaracci from theColorado Avalanche.[12] Over the course of the draft, Columbus picked up goaltenderDwayne Roloson, defensemenLyle Odelein andMathieu Schneider, and forwardsGeoff Sanderson,Turner Stevenson andDallas Drake, among others.[13] Instead of joining Columbus, Roloson signed with theAmerican Hockey League'sWorcester IceCats,[14] Schneider left for theLos Angeles Kings,[15] and theSt. Louis Blues signed Drake.[16] Columbus also traded Stevenson to theNew Jersey Devils to complete an earlier transaction.[17]
The Blue Jackets and Wild were granted concessions by some franchises who could not protect their full rosters. TheSan Jose Sharks tradedJan Caloun, a ninth-round pick in the2000 NHL entry draft, and a2001 conditional pick to Columbus;[18] in return, the Blue Jackets agreed not to select the Sharks' unprotectedgoaltenderEvgeni Nabokov.[19] On June 24, at the 2000 NHL entry draft, Columbus selectedRostislav Klesla fourth overall.[20]
The Blue Jackets played their first regular season game on October 7, 2000, a 5–3 loss to theChicago Blackhawks.Bruce Gardiner scored the franchise's first goal.[21] Columbus finished with a 28–39–9–6 record for 71 points, last in the Central Division, and failed to qualify for theplayoffs.[22]Geoff Sanderson became the first player in team history to score 30 goals.Ron Tugnutt, who was signed in the summer of 2000, supplied solid goaltending with 22 wins, which tied the 74-year-old NHL record for wins by an expansion-team goaltender (New York Rangers'Lorne Chabot also had 22 wins in1926–27).[23]
The Blue Jackets finished next-to-last in the NHL in thefollowing season, with only 57 points.[24]Ray Whitney, acquired from theFlorida Panthers the previous season, led the team in scoring with 61 points, setting a franchise record.[25] Tragedy struck the Blue Jackets organization in March 2002 when 13-year-oldBrittanie Cecil was killed after a deflected puck shot byEspen Knutsen struck her in the head while she was in the stands atNationwide Arena. As a result of her death, large nylon mesh nets were installed behind the goals in all NHL arenas to shield spectators from pucks going over the glass.[26] The team also wore small red hearts with the initials "BNC" on their helmets.[27]
During the off-season, the Blue Jackets traded a second-round draft pick (32nd overall) and Ron Tugnutt to theDallas Stars in exchange for Dallas' first-round pick (20th overall) in the2002 NHL entry draft.[28] On the morning of the draft, Columbus traded the third-overall pick and the option to flip draft spots in2003 to theFlorida Panthers; in return, Columbus received the first-overall pick, which they used to selectRick Nash.[29]
The2002–03 season started with Columbus putting up a 7–5–1–1 record after the first 14 games.[30] However, as expectations from their fans grew higher, the team came back to mediocrity, finishing last in the Central Division for the third consecutive season with 69 points and missing the playoffs once again.[31]Dave King, who had been the team's head coach since their debut in 2000, was fired mid-season and replaced by general managerDoug MacLean.[32][33]Marc Denis was named starting goaltender; he played a franchise-record 77 games that season and set a league record with 4,511 minutes played in 2002–03. He tied for second all-time for games played in a season by a goaltender, just two shy of the league record held bySt. Louis Blues'Grant Fuhr in the1995–96 season.[34][35]
The2003–04 season was another losing season for the Blue Jackets despite key additions in the off-season. Checking centerTodd Marchant was signed to a five-year contract in July from theEdmonton Oilers.[36] DefensemanDarryl Sydor, known to play strong offense as well, was acquired from the Dallas Stars forMike Sillinger and a draft pick. MacLean stepped aside as head coach midway through the season, giving way toGerard Gallant.[37] The Blue Jackets finished with just 62 points (the second-lowest total in their short history), but it was enough to help them break out of last place in the Central Division for the first time, finishing ahead of theChicago Blackhawks. Nash was one of the few bright spots for the team; his 41 goals tiedJarome Iginla andIlya Kovalchuk for theMaurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (as League leader in goals scored).[38]
In the 2004 off-season, theNHL Players' Association (NHLPA) and NHL administration failed to renew theircollective bargaining agreement. September 14, 2004, marked the beginning of thelockout of the2004–05 season. No games were played and theStanley Cup was not awarded for the first time since theflu epidemic of 1919.[39] An agreement was made on July 13, 2005, and the lockout officially ended nine days later on July 22, 2005.
In the summer of 2005, ruggedColorado Avalanche defensemanAdam Foote agreed to a three-year deal with the team.[40] Heading into the2005–06 season, it appeared the Blue Jackets would finally take the next step and make the playoffs. Instead, injuries to Rick Nash, Rostislav Klesla andGilbert Brule, the team's2005 first-round pick,[41] led to the team putting up a dismal 9–25–1 record through its first 35 games.[42] SuperstarSergei Fedorov was acquired from theMighty Ducks of Anaheim; Anaheim receivedTyler Wright andFrancois Beauchemin, and later claimedTodd Marchant off waivers.[43] While again failing to make the playoffs, Columbus did manage to improve. They had the best overtime record in the NHL (14–4) and finished the season with franchise records for wins (35) and points (74).[22] For the first time ever, they earned a third-place finish in the Central Division, behind Detroit and Nashville.[44]
The2006–07 season saw several changes made to the team. In the off-season,Marc Denis was dealt to theTampa Bay Lightning for forwardFredrik Modin and goaltenderFredrik Norrena, making way forPascal Leclaire to take the starting job.[45] The Blue Jackets also signedAnson Carter when it looked as ifNikolay Zherdev would be playing the season in Russia;[46] in late September, however, Zherdev and general managerDoug MacLean were able to reach a compromise.[47] Partway through the season, on November 13, 2006,Gerard Gallant was relieved of his duties as head coach. The next day,Gary Agnew was named his interim replacement. On November 22,Ken Hitchcock, former coach of theDallas Stars andPhiladelphia Flyers, was named the new head coach, effective the following day.[48] Under Hitchcock's first year, two milestones were set: on December 10, 2006, the Blue Jackets scored a team-record five power-play goals in a 6–2 win over theOttawa Senators,[49] and on April 3, 2007, the Blue Jackets broke the modern-day record for most times being shut-out in a season (16) with a 3–0 loss to theDetroit Red Wings.[50]
On April 18, 2007, Doug MacLean, the team's first general manager and president, was fired after nine years and six seasons at the helm without a playoff berth. Mike Priest, president of Blue Jackets parent company JMAC, Inc.,[51] was named president of the club, while Assistant general manager Jim Clark served as general manager until the Blue Jackets namedEdmonton Oilers Assistant general managerScott Howson as the new general manager on June 15, 2007.[22][52] On October 4, 2007, the Blue Jackets announced their affiliation with theElmira Jackals, which replaced their former affiliation with theDayton Bombers as the club'sECHL affiliate.[53]
The2007–08 season, the club's first full season under Hitchcock, started off well as the Jackets got off to their best start in franchise history, starting with a 4–0 shutout of the defendingStanley Cup championAnaheim Ducks. At the trade deadline on February 26, 2008, however, apparently unable to agree on a new contract and amid some controversy,[54] Blue Jackets captainAdam Foote requested a trade to theColorado Avalanche, which was granted. The Blue Jackets received a pair of conditional picks in return. A few weeks later, on March 12, 2008, former Blue Jackets number-one draft pick Rick Nash was named the new team captain.[55] Despite this, Columbus managed its best season record to date, staying above a .500 game wins average until the final game of the season and finishing fourth in theCentral Division with 80 points.[56] After the season, Nash was announced as the cover player for theNHL 2K9 video game byTake-Two Interactive.[57]
At the2008 NHL entry draft, the Blue Jackets selectedNikita Filatov with the sixth overall pick. They also traded away the 19th overall pick (acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Adam Foote) forR. J. Umberger. The Blue Jackets made many trades in the 2008 off-season. Gilbert Brule was traded to theEdmonton Oilers forRaffi Torres. Enigmatic forward Nikolay Zherdev andDan Fritsche were traded to theNew York Rangers in exchange for defensemenFedor Tyutin andChristian Backman. The Blue Jackets also signed free agentsKristian Huselius andMike Commodore to multi-year contracts. On July 9, 2008, the Blue Jackets announced they signed Hitchcock to a three-year extension to remain as head coach.[58]
During the2008–09 season, the Blue Jackets made two trades which greatly played to their benefit. ForwardJason Williams was acquired from theAtlanta Thrashers in exchange for defensemanClay Wilson and a sixth-round draft pick. The Blue Jackets were also involved with the first major deal of the 2009NHL trade deadline, by trading goaltender Pascal Leclaire and a second-round draft pick to theOttawa Senators for skilled centerAntoine Vermette. The changes in scenery benefited both players and the Jackets; Williams scored 28 points in his first 36 games as a Jacket, while Vermette scored 11 points in his first 14 games with the team. Rick Nash scored 79 points throughout the season, setting a franchise record.
On April 8, 2009, the Columbus Blue Jackets secured the firstStanley Cup playoff berth in the franchise's eight-year history with a 4–3 shootout win over theChicago Blackhawks.[59] However, they were swept in the first round by theDetroit Red Wings in four games, and would not qualify for the playoffs for the next four seasons. With 21 games remaining and sitting four points out of eighth in the Western Conference, the Blue Jackets dealt long time defenseman Rostislav Klesla andDane Byers to thePhoenix Coyotes in exchange forScottie Upshall andSami Lepisto at the trade deadline on February 28, 2011.
In the 2011 off-season, in an attempt to make a serious playoff run, the Blue Jackets traded 2007 first-round pickJakub Voracek, their 2011 first-round pick (Sean Couturier) and a third-round pick (Nick Cousins) to thePhiladelphia Flyers for All-Star centerJeff Carter. They also signed several free agents:James Wisniewski,Vaclav Prospal andRadek Martinek. However, after a disastrous start to the 2011–12 season that saw the firing of head coachScott Arniel, Carter was traded to theLos Angeles Kings forJack Johnson and a conditional first-round pick after playing just 39 games with the Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets also traded veteran centers Antoine Vermette andSamuel Pahlsson for goaltenderCurtis McElhinney and several draft picks at the trade deadline. There was also heavy speculation that captain Rick Nash would be traded at the deadline. Although Nash was not traded, general managerScott Howson publicly announced that he had privately requested a trade, a move that has stirred up much controversy.[60][61] Nash was eventually traded to theNew York Rangers on July 23, 2012, forBrandon Dubinsky,Artem Anisimov, prospectTim Erixon and a 2013 first-round draft pick.[62] At the2012 NHL entry draft, the Blue Jackets traded their second and fourth round picks to the Philadelphia Flyers for the eventual winner of theVezina Trophy, goaltenderSergei Bobrovsky (2012–13).
The2012–13 lockout and season saw changes to the executive and front office of the organization.John Davidson was named as president of hockey operations for the Blue Jackets on October 24.[63] On February 12, Scott Howson was relieved of his duties as general manager.[64]Jarmo Kekalainen, who had previously worked with Davidson inSt. Louis, was hired away fromJokerit of the FinnishSM-liiga to be the new general manager becoming the first European born general manager in the NHL.[65] The Blue Jackets then traded for All-Star forwardMarian Gaborik. The Blue Jackets just missed the playoffs via a tiebreaker against theMinnesota Wild, who had more regulation and overtime wins (ROW).
The Blue Jackets moved into theMetropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference in the2013–14 season after spending its first 13 seasons in the Central Division of the Western Conference. The other teams in the Metropolitan Division consist of theCarolina Hurricanes,New Jersey Devils,New York Islanders,New York Rangers,Philadelphia Flyers,Pittsburgh Penguins andWashington Capitals, the latter six of which once composed the oldPatrick Division.[66][67] On April 9, 2014, the Blue Jackets clinched their second playoff spot in franchise history by winning a 3–1 game against theDallas Stars. This game was also noted for being a game resumed after being postponed on March 10, 2014, due toRich Peverley's cardiac event in which the Blue Jackets led 1–0. The NHL decided to keep the goal scored byNathan Horton and resumed the game with a full 60 minutes. Nathan Horton made history by being credited for scoring a goal while not suiting up for the game.[68]
The Blue Jackets faced thePittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the2014 Stanley Cup playoffs. This series had a trend that was noted for making 3–1 leads end up as 4–3 loss. Games 1 and 2 were at theConsol Energy Center in downtownPittsburgh. The Blue Jackets made a large jump in history whenJack Johnson scored the first goal of the game. This was the first time in franchise history that Columbus ever led a postseason game. The Jackets lead the game 3–1 at one point from goals byMark Letestu andDerek MacKenzie. However, the Penguins rallied to win it 4–3. Game 2 was the opposite. Pittsburgh led 3–1 at one point, but Columbus rallied to win game 2 4–3 by an overtime goal fromMatt Calvert. This was the first playoff victory in franchise history. Pittsburgh won game 3 by a score of 4–3. Game 4 was a memorable night atNationwide Arena. Columbus was down 3–0, and 3–1 by the end of the first period.Boone Jenner andRyan Johansen scored to make it 3–2 by the end of the second period.Brandon Dubinsky scored the game-tying goal with 22.5 seconds left in regulation, after a miss-play with the puck byMarc-Andre Fleury.Nick Foligno went on to score the game-winning goal in overtime. In the locker room during intermission, he supposedly told the team that he will score the game-winner. Pittsburgh, however, went on to win the next two games and took the best-of-seven series in six games.
The2014–15 season was most notable for the number of injuries the Jackets incurred. The Jackets lead the league in man-games lost with 502. At one point, the injured reserve list consisted of 15 players, including starsSergei Bobrovsky, Brandon Dubinsky,Jack Johnson, andRyan Murray. When the team's injured players began to return in late February, they were able to accumulate wins the way they had the previous two seasons and in the process, set a franchise record earning nine consecutive wins. However, the Blue Jackets still finished fifth in the Metropolitan Division and missed the playoffs by nine points despite a 42–35–5 record. On May 20, 2015,Nick Foligno was named the sixth captain in team history. The position had been vacant since Rick Nash was traded to the New York Rangers in July 2012. On June 30, 2015, the Jackets traded centersMarko Dano andArtem Anisimov, along with wingersJeremy Morin andCorey Tropp, to theChicago Blackhawks in exchange forBrandon Saad. This move was the subject of much controversy in Chicago since Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman had publicly said that Saad was going to be a part of the organization for many years to come. The Jackets also acquiredMichael Paliotta andAlex Broadhurst in the trade. The Jackets signed centerGregory Campbell from theBoston Bruins a few days later.
The Blue Jackets initially went into the2015–16 season with high expectations. However, the team got off to an inauspicious start by losing their first eight regular season games in regulation, the second longest losing streak to start a season in NHL history. This prompted the Jackets to fire head coach Todd Richards and hireJohn Tortorella in his place. On January 6, 2016, the Blue Jackets traded Ryan Johansen to theNashville Predators in exchange for defensemanSeth Jones. The Blue Jackets record at the end of the season was 34–40–8, and were ranked 27th overall in the NHL. They closed out the season on a high note, however, as they won the season finale against the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Chicago Blackhawks, overcoming a 3–0 deficit after the first period to win 5–4 in overtime.
The Blue Jackets set three franchise records during the2016–17 season. On November 4, 2016, the Blue Jackets scored a franchise-record ten goals in a 10–0 shutout win against theMontreal Canadiens, becoming the first team to do so since 2011 (when theSt. Louis Blues beat the Detroit Red Wings 10–3).[69] In mid-November, the Blue Jackets got a franchise record seventh consecutive win at home.[70] During a franchise-record 16-game win streak that started in late November, Tortorella recorded his 500th career win in a 4–3 Blue Jackets overtime win on the road against theVancouver Canucks, becoming the first American-born head coach to reach 500 wins.[71] The team had a record of 14–0–0 in December.[72] The team's win streak ended in early January when they lost 5–0 to theWashington Capitals.[73] The win streak was the second longest in NHL history behind the 1992–93 Pittsburgh Penguins' 17 consecutive games. The team finished with a record of 50–24–8 and 108 points, setting a franchise record.
During the first round of the2017 playoffs, the Blue Jackets were placed in a matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The team lost three straight games to begin the series, but won the fourth game to save themselves from elimination. This game in which they won 5–4 marked the Blue Jackets' first regulation win in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Despite this, they would ultimately lose the series in five games. In the following off-season, on June 23, 2017, the Jackets made another deal with the Blackhawks sending Brandon Saad back to Chicago forArtemi Panarin andTyler Motte.
The Blue Jackets returned to the playoffs in2018 as a wild card qualifier, going in back-to-back years for the first time. There they faced the Metropolitan Division champion Washington Capitals in the first round, winning the first two games in overtime and their first series lead. However, they lost the next four games and the series in six games.
In 2019, the Blue Jackets, with expiring contracts, went all-in at the trade deadline, acquiringMatt Duchene andRyan Dzingel, along with several other players.[74] They qualified for the2019 playoffs as the second wild card, where theyswept thePresidents' Trophy winnerTampa Bay Lightning in the first round to win their first ever playoff series,[75] but lost their second round series in six games to theBoston Bruins.[76] The Blue Jackets would then lose long-time starting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, Matt Duchene, and the team's leader in points, Artemi Panarin, in free agency during the 2019 off-season.[77]
On March 12, 2020, the 2019–20 season was paused due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,[78] with the remainder of the regular season being officially canceled on May 26.[79] On August 1, the season would resume and follow a 24-team playoff format.[80][79] The Blue Jackets advanced to the playoffs after defeating theToronto Maple Leafs in five games in the qualifying round. The Blue Jackets then faced the Tampa Bay Lightning in a first round rematch of last season. They lost game 1 in the fifth overtime period,[81] and went on to lose the series in five games.[82]
During the 2020 off-season, star forwardPierre-Luc Dubois signed a two-year extension with the Blue Jackets but would later request a trade from the team.[83] The shortened 56-game2020–21 season saw the Blue Jackets placed and struggle in theCentral Division, under the NHL's realigned divisions. After being benched for the second and third periods in what would be his last game with the team on January 21, 2021, Dubois, along with a2022 third-round pick, was traded to theWinnipeg Jets in exchange for wingersPatrik Laine andJack Roslovic on January 23.[84] Veteran playersDavid Savard and captainNick Foligno would also be traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs, respectively. The team finished last in their division, with a dismal 18–26–12 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Tortorella and the Blue Jackets would then part ways after six seasons.[85]
The departures of Tortorella and several key players in the past few seasons threw the Blue Jackets into another rebuild, starting with the promotion of assistant coachBrad Larsen to head coach on June 10, 2021.[86]Seth Jones would then be traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defensemanAdam Boqvist and a2021 first-round pick (Cole Sillinger),[87] andCam Atkinson to the Philadelphia Flyers for former first-round pick Jakub Voracek.[88]
The 2021–22 season saw the Blue Jackets return to the Metropolitan Division as the NHL reverted to its 82-game regular season. In their season-opening game against theArizona Coyotes, the team honored backup goaltenderMatiss Kivlenieks, who had tragically died in a fireworks accident during the off-season, on July 4, 2021.[89] They raised his number to hang inside Nationwide Arena for the duration of the season. His family also performed a ceremonial puck drop and goaltenderElvis Merzlikins was allowed to wear #80 during said game. They had also established the Matiss Kivlenieks Memorial Fund in his memory in order to promote the growth of hockey in Columbus and his homeland of Latvia.[90]
On October 12, 2021, Boone Jenner was named the seventh captain in franchise history.[91] Under his captaincy, the Blue Jackets started their season with a strong 7–3–0 record in their first ten games, even defeating the eventual Stanley Cup champions Colorado Avalanche in back-to-back games.[92][93] Despite an improved offense and scoring capabilities, issues with defense and special teams caught up with the team as the season progressed,[94] finishing among the top 10 teams with the highestgoals against average.[95] On April 16, 2022, they were officially eliminated from playoff contention when the Washington Capitals defeated the Montreal Canadiens.[96] They finished sixth in their division, with a 37–38–7 record and 81 points.[97]
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During the 2022 free agency, the Blue Jackets shocked the hockey world by signingCalgary Flames superstarJohnny Gaudreau to a seven-year contract,[98] following the signing of his teammate, defensemanErik Gudbranson, to a four-year contract on July 13, 2022.[99] The Gaudreau signing stunned hockey fans and media alike as the franchise had gained a reputation of being unable to sign or retain star players.[100][101][102] Gaudreau, who had reportedly been linked to other Metro teams like the New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, and Philadelphia Flyers for weeks, decided to play for less compensation for Columbus, citing their potential as a young team and that he came there "to win hockey games."[103][104][105] Subsequently, in order to re-sign Laine to what would be a four-year contract after the blockbuster signings,[106] the Blue Jackets traded wingerOliver Bjorkstrand to theSeattle Kraken for2023 late-round picks.[107]
In the 2022–23 season, amid expectations of being a competitive team, the Blue Jackets could not overcome their defensive issues and man games lost due to injuries, especially that of top defensemanZach Werenski,[108] consistently placing them at the bottom of their division and of the league.[109] The "lost" season would see the Blue Jackets trade forwardsGustav Nyquist to the Minnesota Wild[110] and Jakub Voracek to the Arizona Coyotes;[111] and backup goaltenderJoonas Korpisalo and defensemanVladislav Gavrikov to the Los Angeles Kings for draft picks and prospects. Two-time Stanley Cup-winning goaltenderJonathan Quick, also acquired from the Kings, would be traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in less than two days.[112] On March 17, 2023, the Blue Jackets were eliminated from playoff contention in their 68th game, after a 7–4 loss to theAnaheim Ducks.[113] They finished eighth in their division, with a dismal 25–48–9 record and 59 points, and were 31st in the league.[114] On April 15, 2023, they relieved Brad Larsen of his duties as head coach.[115]
For the 2023–24 season, the Blue Jackets made several changes in the off-season. They looked to improve their blue line by trading forIvan Provorov from the Philadelphia Flyers on June 6, 2023,[116] and then forDamon Severson from the New Jersey Devils three days later.[117] On July 1, they hiredMike Babcock as their new head coach amid much controversy, as he had a reputation of mistreating players.[118] In the2023 NHL entry draft, they used their third overall pick to draft centerAdam Fantilli from theUniversity of Michigan.[119] Babcock resigned on September 17, after allegations of improper behavior via theSpittin' Chiclets podcast led to anNHLPA investigation into his conduct. He announced his resignation as head coach before the start of the preseason, withPascal Vincent being named his successor.[120][121] On February 15, 2024, the Blue Jackets fired general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, ending an 11-year tenure that included the team’s first playoff series win in 2019.[122][123] On May 28,Don Waddell was hired as president of hockey operations and general manager, while John Davidson transitioned to a senior advisor role within the organization.[124] The team struggled once again, finishing with a 27–43–12 record and last in the Metropolitan Division.
On June 17, 2024, the Blue Jackets fired Vincent,[125] with formerMinnesota Wild coachDean Evason named his successor on July 22.[126] On August 29, ahead of the2024–25 season, Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew were both killed by a driver suspected ofdrunk driving while cycling inOldmans Township, New Jersey.[127] The tragedy was met with tributes from around the NHL and wider sports world, as well as an impromptu memorial established by fans atNationwide Arena.[128]
The name "Blue Jackets" was chosen to celebrate "patriotism, pride, and the richCivil War history in the state of Ohio and city of Columbus."[129] When PresidentAbraham Lincoln requested that Ohio raise ten regiments at the outbreak of the Civil War, the state responded by raising a total of 23 volunteer infantry regiments for three months of service. Ohio also produced a number of great Civil War figures, includingWilliam Tecumseh Sherman,Ulysses S. Grant,Philip Sheridan andGeorge Custer; Sherman himself being a native ofLancaster, Ohio, about a 33-mile (53 km) drive from Columbus alongU.S. Route 33 and is home tohis childhood home and museum. Columbus itself was host to large military bases,Camp Chase andCamp Thomas, which saw hundreds of thousands of Union soldiers and thousands of Confederate prisoners during the Civil War.[130]
The team logo is a stylized version of theflag of Ohio, which is aburgee (i.e., swallowtail pennant), in the form of a "C" wrapped around a star, representing both patriotism and Columbus's status as state capital.[2][131] Previously used as an alternate logo starting in 2003,[2] it became the primary logo as part of aReebok-sponsored redesign for the2007–08 season.[132] The original logo had a red ribbon with 13 stars representing theThirteen Colonies, unfurled in the shape of the team's initials, CBJ, with an electric gold hockey stick cutting through the center to represent the "J." An additional star atop the stick represented Columbus's status as state capital.[2]
Since their inception, the Blue Jackets have worn navy and white jerseys with red pants.
For the 2020–21 season, the Blue Jackets would wear "Reverse Retro" alternate uniforms designed byAdidas. The uniform resembled the original white "Stinger" uniforms from 2000 to 2007 but with a red base and white sleeve stripes.[133]
Starting with the 2022–23 season, the Blue Jackets' road white uniform would be paired with blue pants, a combination the team previously wore on May 1, 2021, against the Carolina Hurricanes. The blue pants were also used with the "Reverse Retro" uniform during that season. Also during the season, the Blue Jackets unveiled their second "Reverse Retro" uniform, using the 2003–2007 alternate uniform but with a black base and light blue stripes taken from their current alternates.[134]
For the team's2025 Stadium Series game, they wore dark blue uniforms and pants with white, silver and red trim. The main crest featured the "cannon" logo in front, and the shoulders featured a new "CBJ" patch with two crossed hockey sticks as a nod to the unit designation pins found in front of a soldier's slouch caps. An outline of Ohio surrounds the captain and alternate captain patches, along with a star on the right leg. Enlarged numbers and letters were used for the uniform.[135]
Prior to the start of the2007–08 season, the Blue Jackets organization brought a hand-made replica1857 Napoleoncannon intoNationwide Arena. The cannon is "fired" at home games whenever:[136]
When the Blue Jackets score a goal, the title line of "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)" byAC/DC is played when the cannon is fired followed by the chorus of "The Whip" byLocksley.[137]
OnFanDuel Sports Network Ohio,Steve Mears serves as the television play-by-play announcer[138] alongside former Blue JacketJody Shelley providing color analysis. Brian Giesenschlag is the host ofBlue Jackets Live, the televised pre-game, intermission and post-game shows, with former Blue JacketJean-Luc Grand-Pierre.[139]
On radio stationsWBNS-FM (flagship),WBNS (flagship),WXZX (alternative flagship that airs games that conflict with WBNS's and WBNS-FM's coverage ofOhio Statefootball ormen's basketball), and 34other affiliates inOhio andWest Virginia, Bob McElligott provides play-by-play coverage. McElligott joined the Blue Jackets radio broadcast in July 2009 as a color analyst and became the play-by-play analyst for the 2013–14 season, taking over forGeorge Matthews who had been calling Blue Jackets games since the team's inception in 2000.[140] McElligott, along with Dylan Tyrer, hosts the pre-game and post-game radio shows. Fans can interact by e-mail andTwitter with McElligott and Tyrer during and after the game.[141][142]
Stinger is the official mascot of the Blue Jackets. Stinger is a 6-foot 9-inch Yellow Jacket that walks amongst the crowd during the games and skates on the ice between periods while wearing a Blue Jackets jersey and a blue hat. Stingers eyebrows are black hockey sticks. Stinger was originally yellow, but was changed to green, eventually mixing with the team's blue.[143] The image of Stinger was on the original Blue Jackets jerseys, eventually being removed in 2003. The team also had another mascot, an anthropomorphic cannon named Boomer, for half of the 2010–11 season.[144][145]
This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Blue Jackets. For the full season-by-season history, seeList of Columbus Blue Jackets seasons
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | GF | GA | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2020–21 | 56 | 18 | 26 | 12 | 48 | 137 | 187 | 8th, Central | Did not qualify |
| 2021–22 | 82 | 37 | 38 | 7 | 81 | 262 | 300 | 6th, Metropolitan | Did not qualify |
| 2022–23 | 82 | 25 | 48 | 9 | 59 | 214 | 330 | 8th, Metropolitan | Did not qualify |
| 2023–24 | 82 | 27 | 43 | 12 | 66 | 237 | 300 | 8th, Metropolitan | Did not qualify |
| 2024–25 | 82 | 40 | 33 | 9 | 89 | 273 | 268 | 4th, Metropolitan | Did not qualify |
Updated November 21, 2025[146][147]
The NHL retiredWayne Gretzky's No. 99 for all its member teams at the2000 NHL All-Star Game.[154]
| No. | Player | Position | Career | No. retirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | Rick Nash | LW | 2002–2012 | March 5, 2022[155] |
These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history as of the 2024–25 season.[156] Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game
| Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | P/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rick Nash | LW | 674 | 289 | 258 | 547 | .81 |
| Cam Atkinson | RW | 627 | 213 | 189 | 402 | .64 |
| Zach Werenski* | D | 567 | 113 | 271 | 384 | .68 |
| Boone Jenner* | C | 741 | 199 | 184 | 383 | .52 |
| Nick Foligno | LW | 599 | 142 | 192 | 334 | .56 |
| David Vyborny | RW | 543 | 113 | 204 | 317 | .58 |
| R. J. Umberger | C | 445 | 120 | 130 | 250 | .56 |
| Oliver Bjorkstrand | RW | 382 | 111 | 123 | 234 | .61 |
| Brandon Dubinsky | LW | 430 | 72 | 153 | 225 | .52 |
| Seth Jones | D | 381 | 50 | 173 | 223 | .59 |
| Player | Pos | G |
|---|---|---|
| Rick Nash | LW | 289 |
| Cam Atkinson | RW | 213 |
| Boone Jenner* | C | 199 |
| Nick Foligno | LW | 142 |
| R. J. Umberger | C | 120 |
| David Vyborny | RW | 113 |
| Zach Werenski* | D | 113 |
| Oliver Bjorkstrand | RW | 111 |
| Geoff Sanderson | LW | 88 |
| Ryan Johansen | C | 79 |
| Player | Pos | A |
|---|---|---|
| Zach Werenski* | D | 271 |
| Rick Nash | LW | 258 |
| David Vyborny | RW | 204 |
| Nick Foligno | LW | 192 |
| Cam Atkinson | RW | 189 |
| Boone Jenner* | C | 184 |
| Seth Jones | D | 173 |
| Alexander Wennberg | C | 161 |
| Jakub Voracek | RW | 156 |
| Brandon Dubinsky | LW | 153 |
Single-season records include:[157]
Red, White & Blue, the colors represented on the state flag of Ohio, have served as the Blue Jackets' primary colors since the club's inception.
The red, white and blue will be colors as essential to Friday night's Columbus Blue Jackets game as the traditional goal red, capital silver and union blue worn by the NHL club.
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