Columbus Blue Jackets fantasy projections for 2026-27

As part of NHL.com's 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff ranks the top five Columbus Blue Jackets players for standard leagues and provides skater points and goalie wins projections for the 2026-27 season.

1. Zach Werenski, D

NHL.com fantasy rank: 11th

Werenski, who won the Norris Trophy for the first time last season, ranked highly among defensemen in points (81 in 75 games; second), goals (22; tied for third), assists (59; tied for fourth), even-strength points (59; second), shots on goal (260; led position) and average ice time (26:37 per game; second) last season. Over the past two seasons combined, Werenski leads NHL defensemen in both even-strength points (113) and shots on goal (558), ranks second in points (163 in 156 games) and third in goals (45). The 29-year-old has had double-digit goals in eight of his 11 NHL seasons and at least 200 shots on goal in three straight seasons. Werenski, who ranked second among defensemen in fantasy points last season (738.0; behind Evan Bouchard’s 787.9), is in the top 12 overall of NHL.com’s fantasy rankings, making him worthy of a first-round pick in standard redraft leagues.

NHL.com point projection: 83

2. Kirill Marchenko, F

NHL.com fantasy rank: 52nd

Marchenko had NHL career highs in power-play points (23 in 76 games), game-winning goals (seven), shots on goal (218), hits (61), blocks (40) and average ice time (18:57 per game) last season. Marchenko, who scored 27 goals last season and 31 in 2024-25, has had at least 21 goals in each of his four NHL seasons and at least 190 shots on goal in three straight seasons. The 26-year-old leads Columbus forwards in both points (141 in 155 games) and shots on goal (425) over the past two seasons combined. Marchenko is a fringe top 40 forward in NHL.com’s fantasy rankings at the position for this season.

NHL.com point projection: 74

3. Adam Fantilli, F

NHL.com fantasy rank: 59th

In his third NHL season, Fantilli set career highs in points (59 in 82 games), assists (35), power-play points (13), shots on goal (214), hits (139) and average ice time (18:54 per game). Fantilli is the only player in the entire NHL to have at least 55 goals (55), 400 shots on goal (405), 240 hits (252) and 100 blocked shots (107) over the past two seasons combined. Fantilli, who will turn 22 years old on Oct. 12, is one of the best young category coverage players in the NHL and a fringe top 20 forward in the fantasy keeper and dynasty rankings, which are the best 25-and-younger options for long-term formats.

NHL.com point projection: 68

4. Valeri Nichushkin, F

NHL.com fantasy rank: 160th

The Blue Jackets traded for Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche in the offseason, giving him bounce-back potential and a chance to play on the first line and power play with Marchenko and Fantilli in Columbus. Nichushkin, who has scored at least 17 goals in five straight seasons and had at least 150 shots on goal in four of his past five seasons, has never had more than 53 points in a season (53 in 54 games in 2023-24 with the Avalanche), but is averaging 0.83 points per game since 2021-22 (235 points in 284 games).

NHL.com point projection: 55

5. Jet Greaves, G

NHL.com fantasy rank: 187th

Greaves is coming off a breakout season, setting NHL career highs in games played (55; tied for ninth in NHL) and wins (26-19-9). He became a workhorse for the Blue Jackets as he ranked seventh in saves (1,397) and was tied for ninth in save percentage (.908; minimum 35 games). Greaves, who went undrafted in most fantasy leagues last season, ranked sixth at his position (555.2 fantasy points) and should be prioritized in leagues counting saves. It’s also worth noting Columbus was 21-11-5 under Rick Bowness last season, tied for the seventh-best points percentage in the NHL from Jan. 12 to the end of the regular season, adding to Greaves’ sneaky fantasy appeal.

NHL.com win projection: 25

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Other CBJ players on preseason fantasy draft lists: 

Breakout candidates: Cole Sillinger, F (point projection: 45); Denton Mateychuk, D (point projection: 37)

Sleeper: Charlie Coyle, F (point projection: 53)

Deep sleeper: Conor Garland, F (point projection: 46); Dmitri Voronkov, F (point projection: 41)

Bounce-back candidates: Sean Monahan, F (point projection: 46); Kent Johnston, F (point projection: 44)

Hits specialist: Mathieu Olivier