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 first position group that we will examine is the forward position.
The Blue Jackets have 13 forwards signed to NHL (one-way contracts) deals that will be on the roster next season. This implies that the forward group is primarily set. The key for the team will be the line combinations and if the team elects to keep a 14th forward. Let’s break down the forward group by potential line combinations.
First Line: Dmitri Voronkov – Sean Monahan – Kirill Marchenko
The first line is pretty set, as it was the first line for a majority of last season (when everyone was healthy). The line has good chemistry and is expected to stay together to start the season. No other explanation is required.
Second Line: Boone Jenner – Adam Fantilli – Kent Johnson
Adam Fantilli is the anchor on the second line and formed good chemistry with Kent Johnson as the season progressed. Those two are a lock to play on the second line. Boone Jenner is a good player, one whose role is better suited for a 3rd line role. But, he continues to play well and will be elevated to the second line until someone else steps up and takes that spot. Could that someone be Cole Sillinger, Yegor Chinakhov, or even a rookie? It’s possible. But since those players have not shown consistency in the top six, I suspect Jenner will man this spot to start the season.
Third Line: Cole Sillinger – Charlie Coyle – Yegor Chinakhov
Charlie Coyle was acquired to add depth to the center position and give more flexibility to Cole Sillinger. While Sillinger has been anchoring the third line center role, moving him to wing may allow his offensive game to flourish. The key on this line is Yegor Chinakhov.
When healthy, Chinakhov is a solid offensive weapon. However, he struggles to stay healthy. Last season, once he returned from injury, he never rediscovered his game. That led to head coach Dean Evason making him a healthy scratch down the final stretch of the season.
If Chinakhov can find his game and stay healthy, I expect him to be on the second or third line. However, if the issues persist, I would not be surprised to see one of Mathieu Olivier, Luca Del Bel Belluz, Miles Wood, or Jack Williams take his spot on the third line. For me, Chinakhov is the biggest question mark for the forward group going into the 2025-2026 season.
Fourth Line: Miles Wood – Isac Lundestrom – Mathieu Olivier
Miles Wood was acquired to add depth to the bottom 6 and will be a mainstay on the fourth line. His energy and forechecking are best suited in a fourth line role. Isac Lundestrom was signed to add depth down the middle. He has been a defensive center for most of his career and is expected to have a similar role with the CBJ.
Mathieu Olivier has been a good player for the CBJ and is expected to be on the third or fourth line. On a deep team, I would expect him to be on the fourth line. However, for a team that may have an opening in the middle 6, I would not be surprised if he plays on the third line. With some of the struggles that Chinakhov had last season, it would not be surprising is Olivier replaces him on the third line.
Extra: Zach Aston-Reese
Aston-Reese was signed to a 1-year $775k deal last season and is likely to be an extra player or fourth line guy. It is possible that if someone plays well, he could be the odd-man out and be demoted to Cleveland. He would require waivers to get there and could be picked up by another club. So, that may be an unlikely outcome, but is still a possibility.
On the bubble: Luca Del Bel Belluz, Jack Williams, Mikael Pyyhtia
Luca Del Bel Belluz is an intriguing player. He has been very good offensively for Cleveland and performed well when injuries occurred last season in Columbus. I only expect him to make the team is there is an opening on the top three lines. He is not really built to be a fourth line player. So, if he doesn’t make the top 9, I expect him to play on the top line in Cleveland.
Jack Williams played in 1 game last season after signing as an undrafted free agent. He has potential and would be a good candidate to play on the third or fourth line.
Mikael Pyyhtia started last season in Columbus but then finished in Cleveland. He is a decent fourth line player and is likely one of the first players recalled in the event of an injury.
This is the Blue Jackets forward group 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 forwards for the 2025-26 Columbus Blue Jackets.