Blue Jackets’ Center Depth Signals a New Era in Columbus Hockey
The Columbus Blue Jackets appear poised to redefine their identity, built on an unprecedented depth at center – a position that has long been a source of struggle for the franchise. With key additions and the rise of young stars, the team is entering the 2024-25 season with a level of stability and offensive potential down the middle unlike anything seen in its history.
As the season begins, veteran Charlie Coyle is projected to reach significant career milestones, playing his 1,000th game (currently at 950), scoring his 200th goal (189), and recording his 300th assist (296) – achievements that would bring his career point total to 500 (currently 485). Beyond individual accolades, Coyle is expected to extend his impressive streak of consecutive playoff appearances to 14, the longest active run in the NHL.
However, Coyle represents more than just numbers; he embodies the solution to a long-standing organizational need. Acquired via trade with the Colorado Avalanche, the 33-year-old will anchor the Blue Jackets’ third line, alongside Sean Monahan – a proven two-way player – and the rapidly developing Adam Fantilli. Isac Lundestrom, a free agent signing, will center the fourth line, further solidifying the team’s depth.
“The nice thing is, we also have other wingers who can play center, too,” Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. “Are we comfortable and confident that the centers we’ll start the season with are all quality NHL players? Yes. And that’s exciting for us.”
For years, the Blue Jackets have sought to establish a strong presence at center, previously attempting to convert wingers like Max Domi, Patrik Laine, and Jack Roslovic to the position. Past draft picks, such as Alexander Wennberg, failed to live up to expectations, and promising players like Pierre Dubois departed the organization. Building a successful hockey club, according to established tenets, requires strength down the middle, a reliable top-four defense, and consistent goaltending.
Monahan, 30, demonstrated his value last season, producing more than a point per game (19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 54 games) for the second time in his career. His arrival has already positively impacted the performance of wingers Kirill Marchenko and Dmitri Voronkov, who both experienced breakout seasons in 2024-25. He also serves as a valuable mentor to younger players, particularly Fantilli.
Fantilli, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 draft, is poised for a significant leap in his second NHL season. Despite a mid-season setback in his rookie year (2023-24) due to a lacerated Achilles, the 20-year-old showcased his offensive prowess in the latter half of last season. From January 4th through the end of the regular season, Fantilli scored 24 goals, equaling the output of league-leading scorer Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers. Only David Pastrnak (Boston), Alex Ovechkin (Washington), Tage Thompson (Buffalo), Jason Robertson (Dallas), and Morgan Geekie (Boston) scored more goals during that span.
Turning 21 the day before the home opener, Fantilli continues to mature both on and off the ice, consistently crediting Monahan for his guidance and support. Coyle now joins that mentorship circle. “Charlie’s a great player, and he’s played with a lot of great players, and that’s invaluable,” Fantilli said. “He’s picked up a lot of things, I’m sure, from playing with [Nathan] MacKinnon and [Cale] Makar [in Colorado], or [Patrice] Bergeron and [Brad] Marchand [in Boston].”
To accommodate Fantilli and Coyle, the Blue Jackets have shifted captain Boone Jenner and Cole Sillinger from center to wing, though both remain capable of playing the middle position if needed. Jenner, a skilled faceoff specialist, can provide support to Fantilli in that area.
The depth at center is so substantial that even highly-regarded prospects are facing a challenging path to the NHL. Luca Del Bel Belluz, 21, had a strong AHL season in 2024-25 (27 goals, 26 assists, and 53 points in 61 games) and impressed during training camp, but was ultimately sent to the Cleveland Monsters for further development. “We know Bel can play in the NHL,” Evason stated.
Looking ahead, Cayden Lindstrom – the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 draft – is projected to be NHL-ready within the next year or two, currently developing his game at Michigan State University. This abundance of talent provides coach Evason with significant flexibility when constructing forward lines and power-play units.
The Blue Jackets’ offensive capabilities have already seen improvement, as they tied with Toronto for seventh in the NHL last season with 267 goals, a franchise record. While defensive struggles persist – allowing the eighth-most goals in the league (also 267) – the team believes the improved center depth will contribute to a more balanced game.
“We have, what, six or seven guys who are natural center men?” Fantilli said. “It’s special to have that. It not only changes the way we can play as a team, but how these guys play if they’re on the wing. With guys like that on your line, you don’t, as the centerman, always have to be the first guy back. If I’m playing with Jenner, and he’s beating me back up ice, all we have to do is make eye contact and I’m playing wing, just like that. It makes the game more seamless. I can also cheat a little bit more on faceoffs because Jens is there or Coyle is there.”
Coyle has quickly integrated into the Blue Jackets’ locker room, even drawing comparisons to defenseman Damon Severson. He has also been frequently asked about his experience facing the Blue Jackets in the 2019 playoffs while playing for the Boston Bruins. He recalls a hard-fought series, ultimately won by Boston in six games after he scored the overtime goal in Game 1. “They were tough to play against, and they were coming in sky-high with confidence after sweeping Tampa Bay in the first round,” Coyle said.
In that 2019 series, the Blue Jackets featured Pierre-Luc Dubois, Matt Duchene, and Brandon Dubinsky at center, with Boone Jenner and Riley Nash providing support. That lineup represented the franchise’s previous high-water mark at the position – until now.
