In this Summer Coolers edition of NHL Wraparound, hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren review the offseason, roster structure, and playoff hopes of the Columbus Blue Jackets—a team that came painfully close to breaking their five-year postseason drought in 2024–25.

The Blue Jackets finished with 89 points, just two shy of the final wild card spot, and were eliminated by a regulation win tiebreaker after going winless against the St. Louis Blues in the season series. Despite the heartbreak, the Jackets were one of the NHL’s surprise teams, boasting an offense that tied for 7th in the league (3.26 GPG) and scoring six or more goals in 16 games.

This episode examines Columbus’s offseason decisions, including the high-profile Charlie Coyle–Miles Wood trade with Colorado, the questionable seven-year, $8.5M deal for Ivan Provorov, and the tragic loss of Johnny Gaudreau, which emotionally galvanized the team early in the season.

Can this team stay healthy and consistent for all 82 games? And does head coach Ken Evison have another motivational gear without the emotional backdrop of last year?

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Columbus recap: Falling short of the wild card

[00:38] Offensive strides and surprising firepower

[01:00] Coyle & Wood in, Brindley & picks out in trade with Colorado

[01:45] Reviewing free agent signings: Hudson Fasching and re-signings

[02:30] The shock of the Provorov deal: 7 years, $8.5M AAV

[03:30] Tragic loss of Johnny Gaudreau and impact on locker room

[04:00] Goalie update: Jet Greaves promoted behind Elvis Merzlikins

[05:00] Deadline departures: Tarasov, Kuraly, JVR, Danforth, Harris

[06:00] What might have been: injuries to Monahan and Jenner

[06:30] Playoff odds: Can they push over the line this time?

[07:00] Shoutout: Matthew Olivier’s breakout year and fan favorite status

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Columbus made strides offensively last season but lacked late-season consistency, finishing the final stretch 4–11–1 before winning six straight.

The Provorov contract surprised many: a long-term, high-AAV commitment for a player with declining impact.

Injuries to Boone Jenner and Sean Monahan derailed what was shaping up to be a playoff-bound season.

Players like Kent Johnson, Marchenko, Fantilli, and Sillinger will need to continue developing for the team to reach the next level.

Matthew Olivier and Miles Wood are expected to form one of the toughest fourth lines in the NHL, offering a physical edge.

In a crowded Metro Division, the Blue Jackets’ playoff hopes are real—but so are the risks of another near miss.

RESOURCE LINKS:

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Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

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