Waddell has made it clear he's not in "go-for-it" mode but is eyeing a top-nine forward with a history of providing offense.

Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell hoping to supplement roster for stretch run without 'devastating' resilient team's culture.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are one of the best stories in all of sports this season. They have responded to the death of Johnny Gaudreau by having their best season in years, holding down a playoff spot heading into the NHL trade deadline.

As reported by The Athletic on Monday, the Blue Jackets are close to signing tough winger Mathieu Olivier to a long-term contract extension. Olivier, a pending unrestricted free agent, has emerged as perhaps the NHL’s top fighter, as well as a leader and a secondary scorer (12 goals) for Columbus this season.

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell confirmed he won't be trading defenseman Ivan Provorov prior to Friday's deadline."It's different this year, for me, than probably other years as a GM,

The Columbus Blue Jackets have been arguably the biggest surprise of the 2024-25 NHL season, holding onto a playoff spot as the trade deadline approaches. Entering the year, it was a safe bet the Blue Jackets would be sellers at the deadline.