A Quiet Off‑Season for the Columbus Blue Jackets
The 2026 off‑season rankings released by TheHockeyNews.com placed the Columbus Blue Jackets at 27th overall, reflecting a lack of high‑profile signings and a roster that remains largely unchanged from the previous campaign.
Among the bright spots, defenseman Zach Werenski earned a third‑place spot on the NHL Network’s ‘Top 20 Defensemen Right Now’ list, underscoring his continued growth as a cornerstone on the blue line.
Forward Michael Bunting, who is currently exploring a Probationary Training Offer, is being watched as a potential depth addition that could bring added speed and versatility to the forward group.
Community Spotlight: Dante Fabbro Leads the Italian Festival Parade
Italian‑Canadian defenseman Dante Fabbro has been named Grand Marshal of the 2026 Columbus Italian Festival Parade scheduled for October 11, a role that will see him ride at the forefront of the city’s cultural celebrations.
The parade route will wind through Goodale Park and the historic Italian Village, neighborhoods that have long been intertwined with the team’s community outreach efforts.
The roster’s recent alumni also left a measurable imprint; Josh Anderson, known as ‘The Andy Man,’ logged 65 goals and 115 points in 267 games, peaking during the 2018‑19 season, while Craig Rivet contributed a lone point in 14 appearances after joining the club in 2011.
Andy Murray, an eighth‑round draft pick in 2001, amassed 23 goals and 36 points over 181 games from 2007 to 2011, and later transitioned to a career outside the NHL.
Joakim Lindström, drafted in the second round in 2002, spent a single season with the Jackets before moving to the Anaheim Ducks in 2008, while Dan Fritsche, a 2003 second‑round selection, recorded 29 goals and 63 points in 206 games between 2004 and 2008.
Marc Methot, a sixth‑round pick in 2003, tallied 51 points over 275 games before his 2012 trade to Ottawa, and Aaron Johnson, a 2001 third‑round selection, contributed 172 games of puck‑moving expertise across two stints with the club.