3 Free Agents the Blue Jackets Need to Let Walk

The Columbus Blue Jackets are facing one of the most critical offseasons in their history. After making a late run at a playoff spot and falling short, the Blue Jackets need to decide if they are going to make major moves or stand pat and hope to develop enough to make up the difference.

The team has already made a big move by re-signing center Charlie Coyle long-term, and we are likely in for an offseason of intense rumors.

1.) Boone Jenner

It can be hard to know when to know when to move on, especially when it comes to a long-time core piece. The reality is that it is definitely time to move on from captain Boone Jenner after 13 seasons with the only franchise he has ever known.

Jenner has been a versatile, core piece for the Blue Jackets from almost day one. But now, injuries have played a substantial part in his career over the last few seasons. Coupled with middling production, it begs the question of what he has to offer to a young team competing to grow into everyday NHL players.

Even if a sweetheart deal is there to have him back as a fourth-line player, it may not quite be enough to bring him back. The Blue Jackets have a plethora of prospects ready to make a move to the NHL, so it is time to move on from the veteran captain.

2.) Danton Heinen

This isn’t an earth-shattering move but these kinds of moves rarely are. The Blue Jackets are set at the top of the lineup and will simply be hoping for greater strides from guys like Kent Johnson, Cole Sillinger, and a full-season output from Mason Marchment. That means less room at the bottom of the lineup for guys like Heinen.

With cheaper, younger options like Luca Del Bel Belluz, Luca Pinelli, and others available, it makes sense to move on from Heinen and his $2.25 million salary. Heinen is fine for what he is but is, unfortunately for him, an expendable piece.

3.) Erik Gudbranson

The top four in Columbus is basically set with Zach Werenski, Ivan Provorov, Dante Fabbro, and Damon Severson, all of whom are signed long-term. Denton Mateychuk looks like a solid everyday piece that could grow into a top four role down the line.

Where does that leave the veteran Gudbranson? His contract is off the books this offseason, and his $4 million annual average value (AAV) could be better purposed. The Blue Jackets have a couple of young players like Corson Ceulemans and Stanislav Svozil who could be ready to step into a bottom-pairing role and will do it for minimal money.

Gudbranson is big and a good physical presence, but he’s expensive for a utility defenseman. On top of that, he’s had significant injury issues over the past few seasons, limited to just 37 games in 2025-26. It’s time to move on and fill the spot with cheaper youth.

A Vital Offseason in Columbus

The IIHF World Championships are the current focus of some members of the roster, but the new season will be here before we know it. The Blue Jackets feel like a team that shouldn’t be thinking about picks and prospects only.

This isn’t a team that will contend for a Stanley Cup in the near future but presumably have the kind of pieces that, if they properly develop, could make them a force to be reckoned with. The Blue Jackets are young and have a lot of pieces, but this offseason could dictate what their next few seasons look like.