Today, we're grading the Blue Jackets at the midway point of their season. Let's be honest, the start of this season has not quite as successful as the locker room has wanted it to go.
How odd have the last two years been in the Eastern Conference?
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) January 5, 2026
Last year after 41 games, #CBJ had 18 wins, 42 points and were in a wild card spot.
This year after 41 games, the Jackets have 18 wins, 43 points and are last in the East.
A one-point improvement from last season was not quite what the CBJ had in mind when they came into this season with some additions, some subtractions, and a philosophy that anything less than the playoffs would be considered a failure.
As of the morning of January 5th, they are 5 points out of a wild card slot and are looking at likely needing to amass around 55 or 57 points through their final 41 games to likely have a shot at the postseason.
When considering how good the Eastern Conference is looking from top to bottom this season, is that doable? Absolutely. But they need to turn it around now, or they will be on the outside looking in for the sixth straight season.
How did we get here? Who has been performing well and who hasn't? Let's take a look at some of our core groups for the hockey club and grade them on a typical A-to-F scale.