2026-27 NHL team preview: Columbus Blue Jackets

LAST SEASON The Columbus Blue Jackets really felt like they were headed somewhere meaningful when last season began. In 2024-25, they’d finished with 89 points and their highest points percentage since 2019-20; they’d only missed out on a playoff berth by two points, and they played with structure and discipline under coach Dean Evason. They had one of the best all-around D-men in the game in Zach Werenski. Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko had broken out as two of the sport’s most promising young forwards. The Jackets were a popular sleeper to crash the Eastern Conference playoff party. But things…