3 questions facing Columbus Blue Jackets

NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, three important questions facing the Columbus Blue Jackets.

1. How does Bowness’ message resonate?

Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness was scathing in his assessment after a season-ending 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on April 14. The players weren't bothered by losing, he said.

Bowness said he'd change the culture if he was brought back, which he was. The message was delivered, but its impact won't be known until deep into this season.

The Blue Jackets were second in the Metropolitan Division after a 3-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 25. Then, there were six straight losses (0-5-1) to start a 2-8-1 stretch that ended the season.

Columbus finished fifth in the division, six points behind third-place Philadelphia. It was seven points behind the Ottawa Senators for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

A fine start can't erase those memories. Only a strong March and April to clinch a postseason berth for the first time since 2020 can.

“I wouldn’t come back if I didn’t think we could get this team in the playoffs,” Bowness said. “I want to win.”

2. Can Zach Werenski block out the noise?

After weeks of trade speculation, Werenski is still in Columbus. On July 1, the defenseman released a statement expressing his commitment to the Blue Jackets, who selected him in the first round (No. 8) of the 2015 NHL Draft.

It's impossible to overstate Werenski's importance. The 29-year-old led the Blue Jackets with 81 points (22 goals, 59 assists) in 75 games and won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman.

But Werenski's vow to Columbus only applies for 2026-27. He has two seasons remaining on a six-year, $57.5 million contract ($9.58 million average annual value) and is eligible to re-sign with the Blue Jackets on July 1, 2027.

Until he agrees to a long-term contract to stay, or is traded elsewhere, the questions will continue. In the meantime, Werenski can only help by controlling what he can -- his performance this season.

"All we've talked about is Zach wants to be here," Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said. "He wants to win here. We want to win here. Our fans have been great. They deserve a team to win here and we're going to worry about this year and putting the best team on the ice that we can and get back in the playoffs."

3. Can the special teams significantly improve?

The penalty kill was ranked 28th in the NHL with a 76 percent success rate last season. The power play was 22nd, converting 18.9 percent of its chances.

That's been a trend for several seasons. The power play (19.5 percent) and penalty kill (77 percent) was each 22nd in 2024-25. In 2023-24, the power play (15.1 percent) was 31st and the penalty kill (76.3 percent) was 26th.

Each unit has finished 20th or lower in every season since 2020-21, a stretch that has seen five Blue Jackets coaches. The penalty kill hasn’t ranked higher than 20th since 2019-20, when it finished 12th. For the power play, it's been since 2016-17, when it was 12th.

On offense last season, it made Columbus appear worse than it was. Its average of 3.00 goals per game was tied for 18th with the Florida Panthers. But at 5-on-5, the Blue Jackets scored 174 goals, tied with the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights for 11th.

Even if Columbus remains potent at even strength, it can only go so far unless the power play improves.