It's officially fall. The air is cooler. The leaves are beginning to turn. And, most importantly, the NHL season gets started this week. That can mean only one thing: it's time for our annual tradition. Today, we're presenting our 5 boldest predictions for the upcoming Blue Jackets campaign.
As usual, we are very optimistic about the upcoming season. After all, if we can't be optimistic, why bother being fans? We hope that this year, our optimism is rewarded. At least, a lot more than it was last year. Lets dive right in.
Zach Werenski becomes the first 90-point player in CBJ history.
We'll get started with a prediction that may not be all that bold. The single season scoring record for the Blue Jackets is 87 points, set by Artemi Panarin back in the 2018-19 season. Our Mike Stump thinks that record will fall this season, and Zach Werenski will eclipse the 90-point plateau.
It's not that big of a stretch. In the last two seasons, Zach scored 82 and 81 points; winning the Norris Trophy as the best defenseman in hockey in 2026. He achieved those marks with very little help. The next highest scoring player on the roster in that span is Kirill Marchenko, who hit 74 and 67 points. He's no longer on the team.
Still, we think it's possible. For Werenski to clear 90 points, four things need to happen. First, and most obvious: he needs to stay healthy. The biggest difference I've noticed since Zach took his game to this elite level, is in his conditioning. By all accounts behind the scenes, this team is in better shape than it ever has been.
Still, there is alwyas the risk of a freak injury; especially when you play the heavy workload that the #1 defenseman of an NHL team plays. If he can stay healthy, I'm confident that his ability will allow him to continue to produce at such a high level, which is the second key. He has to continue to dominate.
The third and fourth keys go hand-in-hand. He's going to need more support, and with a roster that is mostly identical to last season; this depends on some of the younger players taking another step in their development.
I believe that's possible, but it hingest on the final key here: can this team find success on the power-play? Of Werenski's 163 points over the last two years, only 46 have come with the man advantage. For comparison, Cale Makar (the other Norris winner in that span) has 64 points on the power-play over the last two years.
Even another 5 power-play points this year, would have Zach pretty close to 90 points. Couple that with overall growth in the roster, and I don't think this prediction is all that much of a stretch. Lets get bolder on the next slide.
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