Blue Jackets’ Denton Mateychuk Preparing to Take on Elevated Role Amidst Growing Expectations

One of the strongest parts of the Columbus Blue Jackets roster last season was the defense, and the top four of the defense was one solidified unit. Until the end of the season where injuries, specifically to Damon Severson, caused a shake up, and one the team struggled to come back from.

However, one of the biggest standouts from a season ago was Denton Mateychuk. He took a major step forward with his offensive upside, and also showed he could be involved in all situations on-ice, which is very important especially to a coach like Rick Bowness.

Now, with growing expectations this season for both Mateychuk and the Blue Jackets, he has to take another step in that offensive production side as well, which Bowness believes he will.

“I expect a big year from him, he had a good year last year, and ideally he will see more powerplay time this year, he didn’t get any last year, but he will see it this year, he has earned it,” said Bowness.

What standards does that place on him going into this season? Well let’s discuss!

Expectations Alongside Provorov

Playing alongside one of the most consistent players in the league each year, in Ivan Provorov, there grows an expectation of excellence. He has to be better defensively, and he has to take another step in his game offensively, because Provorov will give you one of the most consistent games every season.

“Playing alongside him (Provorov), means each night you gotta bring it. You know he is going to, and there is a reason he hasn’t missed a game in a long time,” said Mateychuk. “If you don’t bring it, you are going to hear about it, which is a good thing, because he will hold me accountable.”

Clearly there is an understanding that he will need to step up, but he is also going to be given a chance, alongside Provorov to take on more responsibility and more ice time as well. He is expected to consistently produce and eventually take on a Zach Werenski-esque roll, but he also has to physically develop to what will allow him to be the player the Blue Jackets need him to be.

Coming into camp, he just looks different. He looks physically more mature, he looks stronger, and he looks more ready for a full NHL season. He likely was given a command to go and get stronger, as well as more sturdy on his skates, which through one day of camp, he has shown to do.

He also needs to become more of a shutdown defenseman alongside one of the best ones Columbus has in Provorov. His defensive work is something he worked on quite a bit this offseason, and something he believes will translate in multiple facets of the game.

“(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.”

Trust will be the biggest factor for him, and if he can not only earn the trust of his partner, but of his coach as well, he will be given all the more opportunities to succeed in Columbus.

Added Responsibility on Special Teams

He alluded to it a little bit, and we heard much from Bowness about the impact he can play on special teams units, but his preparation will be the key factor in what can separate him from others.

“My preparation is what allows me to take the opportunities when they are given, and when they come I just can’t take them for granted, it is what I have prepared for all summer,” said Mateychuk.

He will highly likely be a powerplay guy on the second unit, and he has a chance to take a major step up in production from those opportunities. He will also see time on the penalty kill, and will get a chance to again show off those defensive skills he has taken pride in the past few seasons.

With new coaches on both units, it is a fresh slate, and as expected the messaging will be changing as well. Don Granato will run the powerplay, and Trent Vogelhuber will run the penalty kill. Both of these guys are expected to reset these units, and get them functioning as top units in the league.

RB says Don Granato will run the PP #cbj

— The Hockey News-Columbus (@F1RETHECANNON) September 16, 2026

With Granato running the powerplay, it gives that unit more experience than it has had in quite some time, and brings a fresh mind and strategy to it. The team is hoping that pays off in a big way.

As for the penalty kill, with Vogelhuber running it, a lot of the younger guys have spent at least a little bit of run with the AHL Cleveland Monsters, and because of that know or were coached by Vogelhuber. So, they got a chance to see the hockey brain, and got a chance to learn his coaching style and kind of feel him out in that sense.

That chemisty could make for a big boost to open the season, which will start with a lot of home cooking. The Blue Jackets open the season with seven of their first nine games at home, at Nationwide Arena. This is a big chance for them to come out of the gates hot, and for a guy like Mateychuk to get on a heater in a big way, in what will be a contract year for him.