Columbus Blue Jackets
· 2026-07-14
The Columbus Blue Jackets finalized their 23-man roster for the 2024-25 season opener, with GM Don Waddell announcing multiple roster moves ahead of the NHL’s 5 p.m. ET deadline.
Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell announced the club’s 23-man opening roster for the 2024-25 season. The moves came before the league’s deadline, with four forwards placed on injury lists and one player loaned to the AHL. Boone Jenner went on Injured Reserve with an upper-body injury. Justin Danforth, Jordan Dumais and Max McCue landed on the Injured/Non-Roster list with wrist, lower-body and upper-body issues respectively. James Malatesta was loaned to the Cleveland Monsters, the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate. Cayden Lindstrom, the team’s fourth-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, remains out while continuing injury treatment.
The roster decisions set the stage for Columbus’ 2024-25 campaign, which opens with the club 11th in the Eastern Conference at 40-30 on a two-game losing streak. The injury list placements remove four forwards from the opening lineup, forcing the Blue Jackets to adjust their forward depth. Jenner’s absence is particularly notable given his role as a veteran leader and two-way center. Lindstrom’s continued rehab also looms large after the Blue Jackets selected him fourth overall in June. The club’s decision to send Malatesta to Cleveland frees up a roster spot while giving him AHL minutes to regain form.
Columbus opens the 2024-25 season with this roster in place, but the injury cloud remains a concern. The Blue Jackets will need to lean on their depth forwards to fill the gaps left by Jenner and the others. Lindstrom’s timeline for a return will be closely watched as the season approaches. The club’s coaching staff will also need to adjust lines and special-teams units to account for the missing forwards. The Blue Jackets kick off their season with this roster, aiming to rebound from their current two-game losing skid and climb in the Eastern Conference standings.