Blue Jackets Stars Must Lead When It Matters: No Repeat of Last Season’s Fade – The Hockey Writers – Columbus Blue Jackets

Dateline: March 24, 2026. The Columbus Blue Jackets were feeling really good about themselves. They went to Philadelphia hoping to earn a massive two points against a Flyers’ team that was on the ropes.

Not only did the Blue Jackets get the two points in regulation, they finished the night in second place in the Metropolitan Division. With 87 points and just 11 games to go, the team’s chances at clinching a playoff spot stood at over 80%. The Flyers trailed the Blue Jackets by seven after that game.

But instead of continuing with their momentum, the next game turned out to be the beginning of the end for the Blue Jackets in 2025-26.

In Montreal, the Blue Jackets not only suffered a tough 2-1 setback to the Canadiens, they lost defenseman Damon Severson to a season-ending shoulder injury. While it was going to be hard to replace everything Severson brought, that moment defined how the rest of their season would go.

The Blue Jackets went 0-3-1 to finish March. They went just 2-5-0 in April. The end result? The team missed the playoffs by six points by securing just five of a possible 22 points in their final 11 games. The Flyers went on a streak to finish third in the Metro. They eventually made it to the second round of the playoffs.

This Blue Jackets collapse was one of their worst in team history given how well they were positioned for the playoffs as late as March 25. The pain and sour taste from this collapse lingered into the offseason especially after Rick Bowness’ rant after Game 82 was completed.

Fast forward to today where the Blue Jackets are about to embark on the 2026-27 season. Many of the same core players are back. While there were some noticeable changes, some new faces are on board hoping to help this team take the next step.

The one thing the Blue Jackets cannot do is encounter a repeat of last season’s collapse. If they want to avoid that fate, it’s going to be up to their leaders and best players to ensure that doesn’t happen.

Best Players Must Step Up

Putting the Severson injury aside, the Blue Jackets’ best players know they have to perform much better than they did at the end of last season. They have to be the reason they win those kind of games.

The Blue Jackets’ three best offensive threats, Zach Werenski, Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko, each saw their production take noticeable dips. As they went, so did the Blue Jackets and their offensive output.

Here was how those three players did in those final 11 games.

• Werenski: 1 goal, 3 assists.
• Fantilli: 3 goals, 3 assists.
• Marchenko: 2 goals, 6 assists.

The Blue Jackets scored just 21 goals not counting shootouts in those 11 games. They allowed 35 goals in that span. It was enough to kick them out of the playoffs.

When Werenski addressed his offseason with the media in August, he acknowledged that he must play better for the team to have success.

“I think it starts with us leaders,” Werenski said. “I definitely don’t think we dragged enough guys into the fight. I feel like on certain nights when it wasn’t going well, we didn’t have enough push and I feel like that starts with the older guys. It’s not for a lack of effort or try or any of that. I just feel like there’s other ways to kind of get your group going.”

“It’s a learning experience for me for sure,” Werenski continued. “I’ve never been in a position like that where you claw all the way back from last in the East to second in the Metro. Then the next thing you know, you have some crazy losing streak and you’re out of it. I went home. I looked at myself in the mirror and know I have to be better. I didn’t produce down the stretch … I think for me personally, that’s an area where I definitely drag our guys into it is producing and I didn’t down the stretch.”

It’s no secret what the Blue Jackets have to do to find success. Their best players have to produce in their biggest games no matter who is injured or who is playing that night. The question they now face is just how can they do that?

Avoiding Repeat of Last Season

The 2026-27 Blue Jackets will have a different dynamic in their leadership. Captain Boone Jenner has moved on to the Washington Capitals. As of this writing, the team hasn’t announced a captain. Whoever that is, they have to lead the way.

Many suspect that if it is offered, it will go to Werenski. He did the most speaking when the times were at their toughest. He reaffirmed his commitment to the Blue Jackets going into this season. Charlie Coyle is a viable option to wear the C as well. No matter who it is, it will be a different voice. They will need to ensure everyone has bought in.

What else do the Blue Jackets have to do to avoid last season? They have to buy into what Bowness is saying. He has documented success being able to help teams get to the next level. His most recent example of that was coaching the Winnipeg Jets to a President’s Trophy. They were an elite defensive team.

The Blue Jackets have brought most of their core back. They are in a position to build off the positives of last season while trying to more fully implement Bowness’ structure. One of their real paths to the postseason will depend on their team defense. With some continuity on their blue line, they need to pick up where they left off before Severson’s injury.

Another thing the Blue Jackets must do is ensure their process is right even if the results don’t always follow. This is another area that Bowness can unlock another level for the team.

There are several examples of this. Whether it’s executing an individual play or keeping their focus on an individual period, the Blue Jackets need to make sure they are doing all the little things right.

Then, if the Blue Jackets really want to see better results, the two other things they must do is play more aggressively and make better in-game adjustments.

All too often last season, the Blue Jackets got in trouble when they stood back. Teams forced the issue especially late in games. It cost the team points. Instead of sitting back with a lead, they need to be more consistent with their aggression and pressure. Force the opposition to make more mistakes to create offense.

The Blue Jackets also must make better in-game adjustments. The opposition feasted on this most of the season. Third periods, anyone? Whether it’s adjusting coverages or being tighter within their structure, this area of the game can be the difference maker when determining who makes the playoffs.

That’s the winning recipe. It starts with their best players leading the way. Then it will take a total team buy in from the start. It ends with a better gameplan and execution.

The path to a playoff spot is there for the Blue Jackets in 2026-27. It only happens if they follow the above blue print from start to finish.