3 Great Free Agent Fits for the Blue Jackets – The Hockey Writers – Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets are entering the 2026-27 season with the fifth-highest salary cap space in the NHL, and with general manager Don Waddell making moves that signify they are in “win-now mode,” this offseason could be crucial for his team as they attempt to make the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

The recent signing of Charlie Coyle gave the Blue Jackets a big monkey off their back in terms of taking the top player in free agency off the market. However, with obvious holes on the roster, the focus now shifts to Waddell and his ability to put together a team that can make a push in the 2026-27 season.

If the Blue Jackets indeed move on from Boone Jenner or Mason Marchment, that will leave a big hole at the center position and on the wing, and they will need to potentially call on some young guys to step up. Who might play in the middle-six forward group could get sloppy, and who plays fourth line minutes could be a camp battle in Columbus.

Here are three free agents who could be big impact signings for the Blue Jackets and could make the difference to get them over the six-year playoff hump they are trying to cross back over again.

Bobby McMann – Winger

Bobby McMann was a deadline trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Seattle Kraken, where McMann really started to light up the score sheet to the tune of 10 goals in 18 games to end the season. His 29 goals would have finished tops for the Blue Jackets, and he has clearly shown he can bring juice to a stagnant offense.

However, the bigger question becomes where he might fit. With his size, 6-foot-2, 209 pounds, and his blazing speed, he could make sense to move onto one of the wings, allowing him to play with more playmakers in space. However, scoring centers like McMann are hard to come by. The Blue Jackets just don’t have much room for a center along the top three lines with those spots currently occupied by Adam Fantilli, Sean Monahan, and the aforementioned Coyle.

Bobby McMann cannot stop scoring.

9 goals in 14 games as a Kraken. pic.twitter.com/i2MkKqkCq2

— Emerald City Hockey (@EmeraldCityHky) April 10, 2026

I think, with the skill set that is so present for McMann, he can fit into that Marchment role if the Blue Jackets were to let him walk this offseason. He can play in the dirty areas, he can find his shot and help space out an offensive zone, and he can play a more power forward role with Fantilli on his line, potentially.

The contract also doesn’t need to break the bank. McMann will be 31 years old by the start of free agency, and so he likely won’t be signing for an abnormal amount of money or term. Fans could expect a contract similar to Coyle’s with less term and money, most likely in the three to four year range, and $4-5 million per year.

That type of contract rewards McMann for a nice season, without completely destroying the ability to add another piece to elevate the team amongst the powers of the Eastern Conference elite.

Oliver Bjorkstrand – Right Wing

If the Blue Jackets wanted to go with a hometown pick, a fan favorite from his time before in Columbus could make a reunion for Oliver Bjorkstrand an interesting addition. “The Maestro” had great success with the Blue Jackets prior to leaving and joining the Kraken, before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2024-25 season.

Bjorkstrand found success in Columbus on the score sheet that he struggled to find anywhere else since his departure. His top season with the Blue Jackets was also his final one with them, in 2021-22 where he netted 28 goals, a mark he has failed to reach since leaving and playing elsewhere. A fan base that still adores the player could lead to a potential return for a guy still looking to compete for a Stanley Cup.

Bjorkstrand could come on a discounted rate, coming off his worst statistical season since he became a full-time NHLer in 2017, scoring only 12 goals this season. He is a sniper with a lethal wrist shot, and the Blue Jackets have the premier playmakers to put around him to help him find that shot again.

Ideally, he would play on the second or third line with Kent Johnson or Coyle setting him up with opportunities in space, or in the slot. Bjorkstrand can be a calming presence in the locker room as well, with so many young guys there. Someone who leads by example quietly is something this team doesn’t have a ton of.

Bjorkstand’s deal wouldn’t need to be a long-term commitment or a high average annual value (AAV), but something along the lines of two years for $3.5 million AAV could entice both sides to reunite.

Viktor Arvidsson – Right Wing

If the Blue Jackets are not worried about the price tag and just want someone who can play on the power play and score a ton of goals, the answer may be Viktor Arvidsson. Arvidsson’s price tag may be a bit higher than the rest, but for a guy with consistent production, it may be worth it for Columbus.

Arvidsson has six 20-plus goal seasons under his belt, with his best season coming in 2018-19 where he had 34 goals in just 58 games for the Nashville Predators. However, he has played for four teams in six years, and he may be looking for some term or some sort of guarantee to wind down his career, as he will be entering the season at 33 years old.

VIKTOR ARVIDSSON SILENCES THE CROWD IN BUFFALO WITH HIS 2ND OF THE GAME 🫨🚨 pic.twitter.com/QkGJJqE8Wv

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) April 22, 2026

However, if the Blue Jackets can bite the bullet on the price and term for Arvidsson, he may present them with the best chance to “win-now”. He is a guy with playoff experience, and plays in multiple facets of the game, and gives them a more definitive top line answer on the wing opposite of Kirill Marchenko.

The price could look something like three years for $6 million AAV. It is a price that the Blue Jackets could be willing to pay, considering he can help in more areas than just scoring. He adds another layer to the power play and gives them another threat as a right-shot winger. He is a mix-and-match piece that might attract a big number with how much quieter this free agency looks to be.

Whether the Blue Jackets take a swing at one of these guys or just re-sign their own, they will have a lot to figure out this year in free agency, and there will be a lot of movement. However, if they look to add to their room from the outside, these three guys would be great fits.