The Columbus Blue Jackets have found their footing and vaulted themselves back into the playoff picture ahead of the Winter Olympic break, with a record of 8-1-0 under new head coach Rick Bowness. They can now add some talent at the trade deadline to solidify a team that should be ready to compete in the postseason.
The Blue Jackets seemed to be missing another solid defenseman to round out their blue line. However, with Erik Gudbranson and Denton Mateychuk back from injury, the defensive core looks solid.
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Mateychuk has shown glimpses of greatness dating back to late last season. However, his game didn’t really suit former head coach Dean Evason’s system. In recent games against the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues, however, Mateychuk has looked like the 12th-overall pick the Blue Jackets selected in the 2022 Entry Draft.
Mateychuk’s Puck-Moving Ability
Mateychuk was most identifiable by his puck-moving skills. He has an extremely high ceiling as an offensive player, and that part of his game is just hitting the tip of the iceberg. Bowness likes to have a four-man rush up the ice, which allows for a player like Mateychuk to get involved in the play without worrying about overrunning the play and leaving the defensive zone vulnerable to an odd-man rush.
His goal against the Blues on Saturday showcased his ability in the offensive zone, and he can dance around defenders at the blue line, creating shot lanes that often get the puck through to the goaltender.
Outside of Zach Werenski, Mateychuk is the best blueliner on the Blue Jackets’ roster. He adds a Werenski-type impact to the second unit, without forcing Werenski to play 30 minutes a game. Werenski is the best player on the ice whenever he is out there, but the team needs him available at the most critical times. Mateychuk could become that type of player eventually, but right now, he provides that additional offensive spark that the Blue Jackets should capitalize on.
Mateychuk’s Aggressive Neutral Zone Play
Bowness’ system has allowed Mateychuk to be aggressive from the neutral zone. Bowness wants his defensemen to bottleneck the play and basically cut it off before the opposition enters the offensive zone.
Mateychuk is perfectly suited for this style of play because he is still developing his defensive game deep in the defensive zone. His ability to anticipate and take plays away without fear of getting burned and leaving his goaltender out to dry has elevated his defensive floor.
If Denton Mateychuk played in a bigger market, a lot of insiders would have been talking about him this season. https://t.co/LlDfvumZ5v pic.twitter.com/kFDfVmQKdi
— Rono (@RonoAnalyst) January 26, 2026
If the Blue Jackets want to maximize their talent, Mateychuk should be a serious building block next to Werenski for the future of the team’s blue line.
Jackson Smith, who is currently enrolled at Penn State, is also a talented prospect coming up the ranks. He was drafted 14th overall in 2025 and will likely be another big piece of the defensive structure moving forward. Smith, like Mateychuk, is a young left-handed defenseman with big offensive upside.
Mateychuk must continue to develop all facets of his game, but he is among the players who have benefited the most from how Bowness likes to run his team. Having a true chess piece for Bowness, on a team with a lot of talent, could help them make a real run for the postseason.
