3 Reasons the Columbus Blue Jackets Can Make the Playoffs in 2027 – The Hockey Writers –

The Columbus Blue Jackets are facing hard realities this offseason. After falling short of the playoffs thanks to a 2-7-1 stretch, the team already had questions. Then Kirill Marchenko made his intentions clear and they didn’t include re-signing. Zach Werenski said he wouldn’t, either, but then walked it back. He’s saying the right things but rumors persist.

Despite all the turmoil and the uphill climb facing them, the Blue Jackets have what it takes to make the playoffs. There are three reasons, in particular, that they can overcome these challenges and reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

Legit Goaltending

There are a few positives to come out of the 2025-26 season and the emergence of Jet Greaves is one of them.  After flashing potential with a 7-2-2 record the season prior, Greaves took off (pun very much intended), capturing the starting job in Columbus.

He played like an upper-echelon goalie for much of the season, leaving the team with a solid backup option in Elvis Merzlikins. With so much offensive firepower in the Eastern Conference, the Blue Jackets will need their goaltending to be strong if they are to make a run.

Strong Depth

One of the biggest things hurting the Blue Jackets is their lack of a true superstar on offense. Werenski is incredible but 80ish points is about where he’s going to top out. Despite that, the Blue Jackets are dangerous because they still have good depth even with the losses they’ve suffered.

Adam Fantilli took another step forward and looks poised for a big offensive breakout. Marchenko will have to impress suitors in a contract season, so look for him to be his best. Valeri Nichushkin came over in a trade to strengthen the wings.

The Blue Jackets may still do some work to their roster but they have enough offensively to be a tough team to handle. If they get a big jump from young players like Fantilli and Kent Johnson, it will take them to a new level.

The Bowness Bump

When the Blue Jackets moved on from Dean Evason midway through the season, they immediately saw a bump under new head man Rick Bowness. Though they slumped badly down the stretch, the Blue Jackets finished 21-11-5 under their new head man. That’s a .568-win percentage, which translates to somewhere in the 102-105-point range.

It is a small sample size, obviously, but it shows that the team found some fire after a change. With the way things ended last season, combined with Bowness now permanently behind the bench, it could be the combination that finally gets them over the hump. More than anything, they have to find momentum early rather than relying on late-season pushes to get themselves into the playoff picture.

They Have to Believe

More than anything else, the Blue Jackets have to believe in themselves. When they started out hot under Bowness, it was clear that they felt they could beat anyone. They need to carry that attitude with them for 82 games.

Things don’t look tremendous right now in Columbus, and it feels like a place guys look to escape from. The culture feels all wrong and that can be a tough thing to escape from. Then again, they need only to look at Buffalo to see what kind of impact winning has. All it takes is one season to change the perception around the Columbus Blue Jackets for the better, and completely change the trajectory of the franchise.