This is a team coming out of its rebuild and into its build phase. It has the potential to contend as it matures and as the roster is further tweaked.

Despite losing Laine and Gaudreau as top scorers, the fast-rising Blue Jackets have impressed GM Don Waddell with a offensive firepower.

But it’s also because five of my so-called sure things have been varying degrees of disappointments. Today, let’s run through those five teams I believed in back in October and rank them based on how close they are to reclaiming a spot in my top five.

NHL.com’s fantasy staff continues to cover the latest trends and storylines in the League through the lens of NHL EDGE puck and player tracker stats. Today, we take a look at the reasons for the Columbus Blue Jackets’ surprising season with their advanced metrics highlights.

According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, the Blue Jackets might be among the teams reaching out to the Canucks to hear the ask for Elias Pettersson. Rumors this past week were that the Canucks aren’t closed off to trading Pettersson inside the Western Conference, but a trade to the East would be preferable.

Size, strength, experience and skill on faceoffs gave the Islanders a decided edge over the Blue Jackets: 3 takeways

Watch the Game Highlights from Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, 01/22/2025