Blue Jackets early summer lineup predictions, the defense corps returns intact

Calgary Flames v Columbus Blue Jackets
Calgary Flames v Columbus Blue Jackets | Jason Mowry/GettyImages

The 2025 NHL Entry Draft and the bulk of NHL Free Agency have come and gone. The Blue Jackets made some moves this offseason and the roster is beginning to take shape. In this series, we will dissect each area of the team by position. The second position group that we will examine is the defense corps.

The Blue Jackets have seven defensemen signed to NHL (one-way contracts) deals that will be on the roster. That means that the defense is primarily set. The key for the team will be the defensive pairings and if the team elects to keep a 7th defenseman. Let’s break down the defensive group by potential pairings.

Top Pair: Zach Werenski – Dante Fabbro

Zach Werenski is the #1 defenseman on the Blue Jackets, no doubt about it. Last season, he found good chemistry with Dante Fabbro, who was picked up off waivers from Nashville, then re-signed with the team late last month. When healthy, the two formed a formidable top pairing. I expect them to play together and play a lot of heavy minutes for the CBJ unless there is an injury.

Second Pair: Denton Mateychuk – Ivan Provorov

Denton Mateychuk and Ivan Provorov made up the second pairing last season and played good minutes for the CBJ. Provorov can play in all situations and can play a lot of minutes. Mateychuk is still developing but has all the makings of a top 2 or 3 defensemen.

It wouldn’t surprise me if one of them is bumped to the 3rd pairing and replaced with Damon Severson. He is a right-shot defenseman and would balance the pairings better. But, Severson struggled last season, which is why I don’t have him on the second pairing as of now. If he can regain his form, then I think the pairings can be more balanced with one of Provorov or Mateychuk on the third pairing.

Third Pair: Damon Severson – Erik Gudbranson

Damon Severson and Erik Gudbranson make up the third pairing. Both are right-shot defensemen and are seasoned veterans. If Severson continues to struggle, he won’t be elevated higher than the third pairing. He may even be scratched until he regains his form. Gudbranson brings leadership and toughness. He will be a mainstay on the third pairing unless injuries occur on the top 2 pairings.

Extra: Jake Christiansen

Jake Christiansen has been a solid #6 or #7 defenseman. He can add offense and plays a sound game. He isn’t flashy but can be effective if put in the right situation. I would not be surprised if he takes Severson’s position on the third pairing if Severson struggled like he did last season.

On the bubble: Daemon Hunt, Stanislav Svozil

Daemon Hunt was acquired from Minnesota in the David Jiricek trade. He has minimal NHL experience, as he has mostly been relegated to the AHL. He has yet to nail down an NHL spot yet but has been knocking on the door of a spot for a couple years now.

Stanislav Svozil has been with the organization since being drafted in 2021. He has been a solid defenseman everywhere he has played. He likely will play in Cleveland this season but has the potential to sneak on to the third pairing if an injury occurs.

Let me be clear: I don’t project any rookie’s making the CBJ this season. But Hunt and Svozil would be the most likely candidates to do so.

This is the Blue Jackets defense corps as of early July. Anything can change between now and the start of the season (trades, signings, etc.). But, as of now, this appears to be the likely combination of defenseman for the 2025-2026 Columbus Blue Jackets.