Blue Jackets Finalize Roster, Prioritize Advancement Ahead of 2025-26 Season
The Columbus Blue Jackets are entering the final stages of roster preparation with minimal drama, as most decisions were finalized after last weekend’s training camp cuts. With the NHL deadline to submit 23-man opening night rosters approaching at 5 p.m. Monday, the team appears largely set for its 2025-26 season opener on Thursday in Nashville.
Head coach Dean evason views this clarity as a positive, allowing the team to focus on preparation for the upcoming road trip – featuring matchups against the Predators and Wild – and the October 13th home opener against New Jersey. “When I was in Dallas, we sometimes had 26, 27 guys in camp,” Evason shared before Saturday’s preseason finale. “Then you’ve got your team. Honestly, practice today was sharp, with enough reps with line combinations. I hope it translates to the start of the season.”
As of Friday, the Blue Jackets’ roster stands at 23 players following the waiver claim of defenseman Daemon Hunt by the minnesota Wild. The core of the team remains familiar, with 19 players having spent time with the Blue Jackets last season, accounting for 85% of the previous season’s goals, 84%
Forward Kirill Marchenko was assigned to Cleveland. While the Blue Jackets recognize his NHL potential, a logjam at the center position prompted the move. The organization believes consistent playing time and continued development in the AHL will be more beneficial than limited opportunities at the NHL level.
“You can rush players too quickly and they don’t ever make it,” Waddell explained. “I’ve never seen a situation where waiting for a player to develop hindered their progress.” He emphasized the benefits of the AHL environment, noting the increased practice time compared to the NHL’s demanding schedule.
Del Bel Belluz impressed during a 15-game stint with the Blue Jackets last season, recording two goals and eight points following an injury to Sean Monahan. He also excelled in the AHL, tying for 13th in the league with 27 goals. Despite his readiness for an NHL role, the Blue Jackets are currently stacked at center with Monahan, Adam Fantilli, Boone Jenner, Cole Sillinger, Coyle, and Lundeström.
Waddell added that Del bel Belluz will focus on improving his strength and skating in Cleveland, areas where the AHL staff can provide targeted development. “We certainly know Bel can play in the national Hockey League,” Evason affirmed. “He’s disappointed,but he’s done everything right. He’s gotten stronger and is a very clever player, with a bright future in Columbus.”
A similar rationale guided the decision regarding hunt, who was placed on waivers with the intention of sending him to Cleveland for consistent playing time, but was ultimately claimed by minnesota, the team that originally drafted him in 2020.
Building Depth with Experienced Veterans
The blue Jackets also strategically added depth through signings that may have flown under the radar, including forwards Hudson Fasching and Brendan Gaunce, and defenseman Dysin Mayo. Waddell specifically targeted players with NHL experience to navigate the challenges of a long, 82-game season, during which injuries and roster adjustments are certain.
“It’s a good problem to have,” waddell said, acknowledging the difficulty of sending these veterans to Cleveland. “We think we have four or five guys who could step into the lineup and perform well.”
Fasching has 137 NHL games under his belt with the Islanders, Gaunce – a former Cleveland captain – has played 189 games across four teams, and Mayo was a regular with Arizona in 2021-22. These players join Del Bel Belluz and forward Mikael Pyythiä, along with forwards James Malatesta, Hunter McKown, Owen Sillinger, Jack Williams, and defenseman Stanislav Svozil, as potential call-up options from the AHL.
“There are a lot more call-up guys than last year,” Evason noted.”Our depth is better. Adding professionals allows us to develop players in Cleveland while knowing we have NHL-caliber players available if needed.”
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