Blue Jackets Could Start 2026-27 Season Without a Captain

With Boone Jenner moving on to the Washington Capitals, the Columbus Blue Jackets are without a captain one week before they hit the ice for training camp. The team could elect to go in a couple different directions for their next captain if they choose to do so.

Many have questioned who the next captain of the Blue Jackets will be. Perhaps the question we need to be asking is will the Blue Jackets name a captain?

As of this moment, nothing has been determined.

Blue Jackets Won’t Name Captain During Camp

The topic of the next Blue Jackets’ captain is a daily discussion that GM Don Waddell and head coach Rick Bowness have. With everyone back in town now, the chatter will pick up even more.

Waddell spoke about where things stand regarding the captaincy. There remains a chance the Blue Jackets go into the season without naming anyone.

“Rick and I have talked about it,” Waddell said. “He’s back here now so we’ll talk about it. I think we’re not going to do anything during camp here right now. We’re going to let camp go through and see how things go. But, we may not have a captain. We may just go with assistants this year. That’s something we also have discussed.”

The most common candidates for the captaincy are Zach Werenski and Charlie Coyle. Some have suggested Mathieu Olivier could be considered too. The fact is the Blue Jackets have several leaders on the team beyond just these three players. There is a path that could see them wait to see how the season plays out given some of the uncertainty surrounding it.

Werenski’s summer is well documented. After almost being traded to the Dallas Stars, he has reaffirmed his commitment to the Blue Jackets. He appears to be the most likely candidate should the team choose someone this season.

Coyle signed a six-year extension with the Blue Jackets and has the qualities any team looks for in a potential captain. Olivier would also be a good candidate given the way he conducts himself.

For now though, we can temper expectations as to when a potential captain would be named. It’s not happening during camp. It may not happen at all this season. Waddell and Bowness will have to decide if the timing makes sense and if the right candidate steps up that would be able to fulfill the role.