For the second straight year, the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers will face each other in the Stanley Cup Finals.
And for the second straight year, the Blue Jackets enter an offseason under President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell that should be full of intrigue, creativity, and moves that (hopefully) continue to put Columbus on track to be a legitimate contender in the National Hockey League.
To get where they need to be, it will mean the departure of some players that Nationwide Arena has come to know and love in recent seasons.
Here are five players who won't return to the union blue in the 2025-26 season — but a brief preface first that not included on this list are a trio of veteran forwards that saw limited action this season: Christian Fischer, Luke Kunin, and Kevin Labanc.
Fischer played in just one game after being picked up off waivers in March and Kunin had no points in 12 games after being acquired at the deadline and was a healthy scratch the last two weeks of the season.
In the case of Labanc, he was head coach Dean Evason's most frequent healthy scratch amongst the forwards. He did play in 34 games and started off strong, collecting a goal and nine assists through the first 13 games. But one goal and one assist over his last 21 games was a cold streak the team couldn't afford, and his February shoulder surgery that officially ended his season took a tough year and made it even worse for the 29-year-old.
All three are unrestricted free agents and there is little-to-no reason to believe that Waddell and company are considering bringing any of the three back.
#1: Sean Kuraly
These top two names should not come as any surprise, but let's start with Kuraly. The hometown kid signed a four-year agreement worth $10 million on the first day of free agency in 2021 and was brought in to be a be a sturdy, bottom-six center who could eat minutes, kill penalties, and bring physicality to the lineup.
He did just that over his four seasons with the Blue Jackets, but at 32 years old and offering limited offensive upside, it's all but a lock that his time in Columbus has come to an end. In his end-of-the season press conference the day after the season ended, Kuraly seemed to know his time in Columbus was up.
"I was just trying to go out there and enjoy it and soak it all it in," said Kuraly. "Maybe take a few more looks than I normally do. You never really know what's next."
For Kuraly, whatever is next isn't in Columbus. Whether they opt for another veteran to eat those bottom-six minutes or insert a youngster like Luca Del Bel Belluz or Gavin Brindley into the lineup, #7 won't be with in Columbus in 2025-26.
#2: Jack Johnson
Another veteran, Johnson's second tenure with the Blue Jackets will have lasted a total of 41 games and add six points (all assists) to his NHL resume. At 38, he was the oldest player on the team this year by far and his age showed on the ice, which limited his opportunities.
But his age also showed off the ice: Johnson brought leadership and experience that assuredly helped a young team grow, especially in the face of the tragedy surrounding Johnny Gaudreau. Even when Johnson wasn't in the lineup — often for long stretches — he was still an important part of the team.
Columbus is looking to boost their defense this offseason through free agency or by trade, further cementing Johnson's fate.
He is an unrestricted free agent and this is likely the end of Johnson's NHL playing career, but don't be shocked if he's back with the team sooner rather than later in a coaching or front office role. Johnson seems like a Columbus "lifer."
#3: Daniil Tarasov
Tarasov is a restricted free agent who struggled mightily throughout the 2024-25 season. He did get marginally better as the season progressed, but a 3.54 goals against average and .881 save percentage for the season are not numbers that will keep a goalie in the NHL for very long.
Add to that the fact that Jet Greaves is on a one-way contract starting with the 2025-26 season. Between that and the way that Greaves closed out this season, leaving him off the Columbus opening night roster would not be wise.
Blue Jackets brass has hinted that buyouts won't be happening, which means that unless there's a trade partner for Elvis Merzlikins, he'll likely be back with the team next year.
All of this makes it tough to bring Tarasov back into the fold moving forward.
#4: Jordan Harris
In a log-jam of bottom-pairing defenseman, Harris — who was acquired in the Patrik Laine trade last August — found himself to be the odd man out more than the aforementioned Johnson. Harris played in just 33 games and averaged only 11:23 when he did make it on the ice. The 24-year-old looked overwhelmed at times, especially in the rare instances where he was facing the opposition's top forwards.
Given his age, there is still time to improve — defensemen are notably late bloomers — but Columbus has plenty of young blueliners in the pipeline and again, Waddell's top priority this season is to address the blueline. The mix of those two plus his status as a restricted free agent could signal a one-and-done campaign for Harris.
#5: Justin Danforth
The most controversial name on this list is certainly that of Justin Danforth.
Don't expect him back.
He's versatile, sure. He's a grinder, sure. He can score when given the right opportunity, sure. He was the hero of the Stadium Series game and his goal will forever be remembered by the nearly 100,000 in attendance on March 1st.
But he's also an unrestricted free agent, and he's the exact type of bottom-six guy that another team will overpay for in free agency. At 32 years old, this could be Danforth's only chance to take the money. He should not be faulted for doing so, especially considering that the Blue Jackets young influx of forwards means they're less likely to overpay for Danforth.
Mathieu Olivier and Zach Aston-Reese are both under contract next season, and there's a good possibility the team brings back James van Riemsdyk on a team-friendly deal. Danforth will get an offer somewhere else for more money, he'll take it, and it will be in the best interest for both him and the Blue Jackets.
