Just six weeks ago, the Columbus Blue Jackets looked like a team already thinking about next season. On New Year’s Day, they sat dead last in the Eastern Conference, three points clear of the next-worst team, and it seemed like the front office was preparing to sell off veterans for future assets. Charlie Coyle and Boone Jenner-two of their most valuable pending unrestricted free agents-were firmly planted on trade bait boards across the league.
But hockey has a funny way of turning the narrative on its head.
Since making a midseason coaching change, the Jackets have caught fire, winning 11 of their last 12 and clawing their way back into the playoff picture. They’ve jumped from 16th to 9th in the East and now sit just four points behind the Bruins for the final Wild Card spot-with a game in hand. That’s not just a hot streak; that’s a full-blown resurgence.
And with that surge, the front office has pivoted. General manager Don Waddell has pulled Coyle, Jenner, and fellow UFA forward Mason Marchment off the trade market.
Instead of fielding offers, the Blue Jackets are now focused on keeping the trio in Columbus beyond this season. Extension talks are already in the works and expected to continue through the Olympic break.
Let’s break down why each of these players has earned a longer look-and why the Jackets are willing to take the risk.
Charlie Coyle: The Steady Hand
Coyle may have entered the season as a third-line center on paper, but his role has been anything but limited. He’s averaging over 17 minutes a night, thanks to heavy usage on both the power play and penalty kill. After a quiet 2024-25 campaign split between Boston and Colorado, he’s bounced back in a big way with 15 goals and 42 points through 56 games-good for third on the team in scoring.
Yes, there are reasons to be cautious. Coyle turns 34 next month, and his shooting percentage (15.8%) is a touch high, suggesting some regression could be coming.
His possession numbers also lag behind the team average. But for a Columbus squad with plenty of cap flexibility over the next few seasons, the risk of a short-term deal for a productive veteran isn’t nearly as daunting as it would be for a team tight against the ceiling.
Mason Marchment: The Instant Fit
Marchment has been nothing short of electric since arriving from Seattle in December. In just 14 games, he’s tallied nine goals and four assists-nearly a point-per-game pace-and leads all Blue Jackets forwards with a 53.1% Corsi For at even strength. The sample size is small, but the impact is real.
He’s found instant chemistry on the top line with young guns Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko, giving Columbus a blend of grit, skill, and veteran savvy that’s been tough for opponents to match. Marchment's all-around game and ability to complement the team’s young core make him a compelling candidate for a longer stay.
Boone Jenner: The Heartbeat
Jenner may not be lighting up the scoresheet like Coyle or Marchment, but his value goes beyond numbers. He’s the captain, the longest-tenured Blue Jacket, and a tone-setter on and off the ice. After missing most of last season with shoulder surgery, he’s quietly put together a solid campaign: eight goals and 27 points in 42 games, which actually puts him ahead of his career scoring pace.
His 52.0% CF shows he’s still getting it done at both ends, and he ranks third on the team with 92 hits despite missing 14 games with an upper-body injury. The concern with Jenner isn’t effort or leadership-it’s durability.
He’s dealt with back issues for most of his career and hasn’t played a full season since 2018-19. At 32, any long-term deal comes with risk.
The Bigger Picture
Locking up all three veterans might be a stretch. They’re all over 30, and the question of long-term value looms large.
But for now, the message from Columbus is clear: they’re not sellers. Not anymore.
“Regardless of whether they’re signed to extensions before the Olympic break ends, they’re off the trade market heading into the trade deadline,” a league source said.
Waddell echoed that sentiment: “I’ve told everybody we will touch base over the break and see where they’re at and see where we’re at. And I said it last year-if players want to be here and we want ’em here, we’ll find a way to get it done. We did it last year, and we’ll do it again this year.”
This isn’t just about loyalty or sentimentality. It’s about a team that believes it’s turned a corner and wants to keep the pieces in place that helped make that happen.
Whether or not all three end up signing extensions, one thing’s for sure-the Blue Jackets are no longer looking ahead to next season. They’re fighting for this one.