3 Bold Predictions for the Blue Jackets’ 2026-27 Season

For the Columbus Blue Jackets to be able to get the most out of their roster this season, they will need some players to take a massive step, and do something that was not expected of them. Which leads us to the bold predictions that could help to shape the team looking to punch their way back into the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

One of the biggest things that has to happen this season for them to take that leap, is that they need their forward groups to be more predictable, and more productive as comparative to last season as well. They will have to ask more of guys who didn’t have as much expectation last season to jump to that next level.

Two of the big names on this years agenda to take that leap, and two players both in a contract year within their entry level contract are Denton Mateychuk and Kent Johnson. Both of those guys will be an essential part of the building blocks for this team moving forward, and both should expect big extensions if their play meets that standard.

Kent Johnson Point-Per-Game Player

One of the biggest gripes for Johnson has been his inconsistency with his play through contact with the puck, and his struggles to maintain and control his weight. He received backlash from the media, coaches, and a collection of fans for his struggles on-ice after a standout season in 2024-25, and a massive backstep in 2025-26.

He will be surrounded by two bigger bodied players this season as he gets a crack at sticking on the top line, alongside Adam Fantilli and Matthew Knies. He now has an expectation, to step up and play to the caliber of that top five draft pick status he was picked to be.

Johnson is a shifty player, and works as good as anyone in the league in open space. His ability to create offense from out of nowhere is similar to the top players in this league, but he has never had as much open ice to create as he will this year.

#CBJ practice observation today … Kent Johnson was absolutely flying today and scored two ridiculous snipe goals with wrist shots, one against each goalie.

Adding a “moose” in Knies plus having Fantilli at center may put Johnson in more open areas with the puck on his stick.

— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) September 30, 2026

So far, in camp, and in preseason games, he has looked noticeably better than previous seasons. Head Coach Rick Bowness talked about how in his offseason regiment he didn’t gain any weight, but he came back much stronger, and that is what they were looking for in the end.

He has to be able to get to his wrist shot in open space, he has to be able to dance around defenders, yet not run from contact, and he has to be the difference in the top line getting to that next level.

If in this season, he can get back to his scoring ways, and can create for others both on the powerplay, and in normal zone cycles, he will earn himself a massive extension this offseason.

Wes’s Bold Prediction: Johnson Scores 90 Points This Season

Denton Mateychuk Joins Werenski Amongst Elite D-Man

One of the biggest offseason surprises to the media was the impressive shape Mateychuk showed up to training camp in. He looked stronger, more physically imposing, faster on-ice, more conditioned, and much more confident.

The Blue Jackets are looking for him to take his game, and his offseason program and turn it into real results on the ice. He has gotten a chance to run on the top pairing in preseason play, and will be on the top pairing with Zach Werenski on opening night in the absence of Damon Severson. He has a chance to take advantage of it, and cement himself as one of the better young players in the league.

He has the offensive game to quickly become one of the most elite defensemen in the league. Playing alongside Werenski, he will likely see a hike up in his offensive production on the ice as well, but one thing he mentioned to The Hockey Writers during training camp was he is proud of the growth in his defensive game as well.

“(Defense) is something I have taken big strides in, and I have had more opportunities to play on the defensive side of the puck, whether it be penalty kill, or six-on-five at the end of the game,” said Mateychuk. “I’ve started to look at more video, and there is always more you can learn with stick and body positioning, and there is still more to go, but I like that I am able to be trusted in those situations.”

However, as a smaller defensemen in stature, the team wants to see that offense improve off of last year as well. Bowness talked about how he had 12 goals last season in 5-on-5 play, and they didn’t give him very many chances on the powerplay. That will change dramatically this season, according to Bowness.

He will be given chances on every unit to take that next step and jump to that elite level of defensemen. They are counting on him to have a great year and get to that next level. His offensive production will be at the forefront of this campaign.

Wes’ Bold Prediction: Mateychuk Garners Votes for the Norris Trophy This Season

Greaves Takes the Next Step Amongst the Elite

Entering into the 2025-26 season the Blue Jackets had shaky expectations for Jet Greaves and his ability to be the number one guy for the crease, and entering last season he was expected to split the net with Elvis Merzlikins. After last season he completely changed that narrative.

He was stellar in the crease, and held the team in games for a large majority of the season when the offense grew stagnant. He is expected to yet again be the guy in net, but to take that big next step and insert himself as one of the top goaltenders in the NHL this year will be his new challenge.

Stepping up amongst the elite of the league will require him to stop high danger chances at an even higher rate than he has so far. He has been one of the best netminders in the league in his first 76 games on NHL ice, and consistency will be another big step for him this season.

Jet Greaves, signed 3x$5M by CBJ, is a goalie. He's only played 76 career games but he has a .913 sv% in them compared to an expected sv% of 0.897, the best differential in the league in that span. pic.twitter.com/0oKR8sIs7E

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 23, 2026

If Greaves is able to take that step and be the guy in Columbus, and live up to that contract extension he signed, it will provide the Blue Jackets with comfort they haven’t felt in the crease since their last Vezina Trophy winner, Sergei Bobrovsky, who won it twice, in 2012-13 and in 2016-17.

That is level that they are expecting to see him play at, is that Vezina type of level of play. He is expected to potentially be the goaltending face of Team Canada for years to come, and that title aligns him with guys like Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy, Jacques Plante, Roberto Luongo, and Jordan Binnington.

Taking that step is also essential for a team, like Columbus, who will put such an emphasis on defensive structure, and making sure that everyone is working in the 200-foot game. Having a back bone like Greaves to build off of, gives them so much more confidence to push the game offensively knowing he can bail them out if things break down.

Wes’ Bold Prediction: Greaves Finishes as Finalist for Vezina Trophy

The Columbus Blue Jackets open the season at home against the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 1, and will play again at home on Oct. 3 versus the Utah Mammoth. All three of their opening games are at home, and seven of their first nine are played at home.

The start is imperative in this first ever 84 game season, and how they play out of the gates will set the tone for jumping out to a quick start instead of playing the season trying to catch-up to the top contenders in the Eastern Conference.