The Columbus Blue Jackets commence the quarter century regular season campaign on Broadway at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee against rookie Brady Martin and the Nashville Predators.
The Predators made tweaks to the middle of their roster, hoping the shuffling of the deck chairs may spark a postseason return.
Out
D Jermey Hanzel was traded with a draft pick to New Jersey.
F Colton Sissons and D Jermey Lauzon were packaged to Vegas.
F Jakub Vrana, Kiefer Bellows, and Grigori Denisenko headed to Europe.
In
F Erik Haula is as acquired from the Devils
D Nicolas Hauge was acquired from Vegas
D Nicolas Perbix signed as a free agent
F Tyson Jost was claimed off waivers
F Brady Martin was drafted 5th overall from his family’s ranch.
Columbus is coming into the season with noise including the Gaudreau tributes, Quarter Century celebration, Yegor Chinakov being a healthy scratch, Cam Atkinson announcing a one day contract to retire with Columbus, and Jet Greaves starting over Elvis Merzlikins.
The excitement is in the air for the Blues Jackets. The expectation is to be in the hunt for the playoffs. Everyone is ready to go. Let’s do that hockey.
After tonight, they don’t faceoff until March 3, just after the 2026 Winter Olympic Games and before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline.
Projected Lineups
Nashville Predators
Filip Forsberg -- Brady Martin -- Ryan O’Reilly
Steven Stamkos -- Fedor Svechkov -- Joakim Kemell
Michael Bunting -- Erik Haula -- Jonathan Marchessault
Cole Smith -- Michael McCarron -- Tyson Jost
Adam Wilsby -- Roman Josi
Brady Skjei -- Nick Perbix
Spencer Stastney -- Justin Barron
Juuse Saros
Justus Annunen
Scratched: Ozzy Wiesblatt, Nick Blankenburg, Luke Evangelista
Injured: Nicolas Hague (upper body), Matthew Wood (lower body)
Columbus Blue Jackets
Dmitri Voronkov -- Sean Monahan -- Kirill Marchenko
Boone Jenner -- Adam Fantilli -- Cole Sillinger
Kent Johnson -- Charlie Coyle -- Mathieu Olivier
Zach Aston-Reese -- Isac Lundestrom -- Miles Wood
Zach Werenski -- Dante Fabbro
Ivan Provorov -- Damon Severson
Denton Mateychuk -- Erik Gudbranson
Jet Greaves
Elvis Merzlikins
Scratched: Yegor Chinakhov, Jake Christiansen
Injured: None
Players to Watch
Nashville — Brady Martin — rookie making his debut as the top center. Risqué.
Columbus — Adam Fantilli — the top center is in his contract year, and will ask for a big ticket.
Predicted Final Score
NSH — 1
CBJ — 4
Gambling Odds
Nashville is -115 and Columbus is -105 according to NHL Draft Kings.