Columbus Blue Jackets fantasy projections for 2024-25
Werenski could be top 25 defenseman; Fantilli should be prioritized in long-term leagues
© Bella Sagarese / Icon Sportswire
As part of NHL.com’s 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff has ranked the top five players on the Columbus Blue Jackets and identified other preseason draft targets with point and win projections for the 2024-25 season.
1. Zach Werenski, D
NHL.com point projection: 65
He had an NHL career-high 57 points (11 goals, 46 assists) in 70 games last season after being limited to 13 games in 2022-23. When healthy, Werenski always generates a ton of scoring chances (202 shots on goal last season), but his injury concern makes him a fringe top 25 defenseman in drafts.
2. Adam Fantilli, F
NHL.com point projection: 49
He had 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists) in 49 games as a rookie last season. Fantilli would benefit from an expanded role, especially on their top power-play unit, and should be considered a top 30 overall fantasy player in dynasty leagues, as well as a top 200 overall option in redraft leagues.
3. Johnny Gaudreau, F
NHL.com point projection: 69
Gaudreau led the Blue Jackets with 60 points (12 goals, 48 assists) in 81 games last season. He had 74 points (21 goals, 53 assists) in 80 games in 2022-23, his first season with Columbus, and is two seasons removed from setting his NHL career high with 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists) in 82 games with the Calgary Flames in 2021-22. Given Gaudreau’s high fantasy ceiling, he could be a fantasy steal based on average draft position outside the top 100.
SJS@CBJ: Gaudreau, Nylander team up to score
4. Boone Jenner, F
NHL.com point projection: 55
He led the Blue Jackets in goals per game last season (0.38; minimum 25 games) with 22 in 58 games. Jenner is a proven category coverage player in fantasy (119 hits, 74 blocks), making him worth targeting in the later rounds of drafts.
5. Kirill Marchenko, F
NHL.com point projection: 47
Marchenko led Columbus with 23 goals in 78 games last season after scoring 21 in 59 games as a rookie in 2022-23. Marchenko is worth a late flier in fantasy redraft leagues and should be prioritized in keeper and dynasty formats.
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Other CBJ players on preseason draft lists:
Sleeper candidate: Sean Monahan, F (point projection: 58)
Breakout candidates: Yegor Chinakhov, F (point projection: 46); Dmitri Voronkov, F (point projection: 45)
