Editing Columbus Blue Jackets (section)

====Rebuilding and the Gaudreau era (2021–2024)====
The departures of Tortorella and several key players in the past few seasons threw the Blue Jackets into another rebuild, starting with the promotion of assistant coach [[Brad Larsen]] to head coach on June 10, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=CBJ name Brad Larsen head coach|url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/cbj-name-brad-larsen-head-coach/c-325291980|access-date=October 16, 2021|website=NHL.com|date=June 10, 2021}}</ref> [[Seth Jones]] would then be traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defenseman [[Adam Boqvist]] and a [[2021 NHL entry draft|2021]] first-round pick ([[Cole Sillinger]]),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/seth-jones-traded-to-blackhawks-by-blue-jackets/c-325758614|title=Jones traded to Blackhawks by Blue Jackets}}</ref> and [[Cam Atkinson]] to the Philadelphia Flyers for former first-round pick Jakub Voracek.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/philadelphia-flyers-trade-jakub-voracek-to-columbus-blue-jackets-for-cam-atkinson/c-325779762|title=Voracek traded to Blue Jackets by Flyers for Atkinson}}</ref>

The 2021–22 season saw the Blue Jackets return to the Metropolitan Division as the NHL reverted to its 82-game regular season. In their season-opening game against the [[Arizona Coyotes]], the team honored backup goaltender [[Matīss Kivlenieks|Matiss Kivlenieks]], who had tragically died in a fireworks accident during the off-season, on July 4, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Henderson|first1=Jennifer|last2=Sterling|first2=Wayne|title=Firework accident that killed NHL goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks was at coach's house, team says|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/05/sport/matiss-kivlenieks-death-spt-intl/index.html|access-date=October 16, 2021|website=CNN|date=July 5, 2021}}</ref> They raised his number to hang inside Nationwide Arena for the duration of the season. His family also performed a ceremonial puck drop and goaltender [[Elvis Merzļikins|Elvis Merzlikins]] was allowed to wear #80 during said game. They had also established the Matiss Kivlenieks Memorial Fund in his memory in order to promote the growth of hockey in Columbus and his homeland of Latvia.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Merzlikins, Blue Jackets honor late teammate Kivlenieks with banner|url= https://www.nhl.com/news/blue-jackets-honor-late-teammate-kivlenieks/c-326853756|access-date=November 27, 2021|website=NHL.com}}</ref>

[[File:Johnny Gaudreau.jpg|thumb|Johnny Gaudreau with the [[Calgary Flames]] in 2016]]
On October 12, 2021, Boone Jenner was named the seventh captain in franchise history.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/cbj-name-veteran-f-boone-jenner-seventh-captain-in-franchise-history/c-326756312|title=CBJ name veteran F Boone Jenner seventh captain in franchise history|date=October 12, 2021}}</ref> Under his captaincy, the Blue Jackets started their season with a strong 7–3–0 record in their first ten games, even defeating the eventual Stanley Cup champions Colorado Avalanche in back-to-back games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Columbus Blue Jackets - Colorado Avalanche - November 3rd, 2021 |url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cbj-vs-col/2021/11/03/2021020145 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=NHL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Colorado Avalanche - Columbus Blue Jackets - November 6th, 2021 |url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cbj-vs-col/2021/11/06/2021020169 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=NHL.com}}</ref> Despite an improved offense and scoring capabilities, issues with defense and special teams caught up with the team as the season progressed,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Jackets eliminated, special teams among reasons |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/columbus-eliminated-from-stanley-cup-playoff-contention/c-333089414 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=NHL.com}}</ref> finishing among the top 10 teams with the highest [[goals against average]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NHL Stats & NHL Leaders |url=https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/team-stats |access-date=September 27, 2022 |website=FOX Sports}}</ref> On April 16, 2022, they were officially eliminated from playoff contention when the Washington Capitals defeated the Montreal Canadiens.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Columbus Blue Jackets - Detroit Red Wings - October 2nd, 2021 |url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cbj-vs-det/2021/10/02/2021010052 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=NHL.com}}</ref> They finished sixth in their division, with a 37–38–7 record and 81 points.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NHL Hockey Standings |url=https://www.nhl.com/standings/2021/division |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=NHL.com}}</ref>

During the 2022 free agency, the Blue Jackets shocked the hockey world by signing [[Calgary Flames]] superstar [[Johnny Gaudreau]] to a seven-year contract,<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 13, 2022 |title='Thrilled' Blue Jackets sign Gaudreau for $68.2M |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/34239560/forward-johnny-gaudreau-joins-columbus-blue-jackets-seven-year-deal-sources-say |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> following the signing of his teammate, defenseman [[Erik Gudbranson]], to a four-year contract on July 13, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Jackets sign Gaudreau, Gudbranson to help playoff chances |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/columbus-blue-jackets-roster-changes-for-2022-23-season/c-335056092 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=NHL.com}}</ref> The Gaudreau signing stunned hockey fans and media alike as the franchise had gained a reputation of being unable to sign or retain star players.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wetzel |first1=Dan |title=The most stunning free agency move ever? |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/the-most-stunning-free-agency-move-ever-180429411.html |website=Yahoo Sports |access-date=August 18, 2023 |date=July 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='Are we in a simulation?': Gaudreau's Columbus decision stuns hockey world |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/are-we-in-a-simulation-gaudreaus-columbus-decision-stuns-hockey-world/ |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Sportsnet.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Portzline |first=Aaron |title=Johnny Gaudreau stunned the NHL, and he's 'over the moon' to play for the Blue Jackets |url=https://theathletic.com/3422168/2022/07/13/johnny-gaudreau-blue-jackets-contract/ |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=The Athletic}}</ref> Gaudreau, who had reportedly been linked to other Metro teams like the New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, and Philadelphia Flyers for weeks, decided to play for less compensation for Columbus, citing their potential as a young team and that he came there "to win hockey games."<ref>{{Cite news |last=LeBrun |first=Pierre |title=LeBrun rumblings: How did Johnny Gaudreau end up with the Columbus Blue Jackets? |url=https://theathletic.com/3422448/2022/07/14/lebrun-gaudreau-blue-jackets-signing/ |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=The Athletic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2022 |title=Gaudreau had CBJ 'circled', likes team's potential |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/34243626/johnny-gaudreau-had-columbus-circled-free-agency-touts-blue-jackets-potential |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=WSYX Staff |date=July 14, 2022 |title=I came here to win hockey games |url=https://myfox28columbus.com/sports/columbus-blue-jackets/i-came-here-to-win-hockey-games-columbus-blue-jackets-introduce-new-star-winger-johnny-gaudreaun-nhl-free-agency-calgary-flames |access-date=April 3, 2023 |website=WTTE}}</ref> Subsequently, in order to re-sign Laine to what would be a four-year contract after the blockbuster signings,<ref>{{Cite web |title=CBJ sign All-Star forward Patrik Laine to four-year contract |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/cbj-sign-all-star-forward-patrik-laine-to-four-year-contract/c-335068360 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=NHL.com |date=July 22, 2022}}</ref> the Blue Jackets traded winger [[Oliver Bjorkstrand]] to the [[Seattle Kraken]] for [[2023 NHL entry draft|2023]] late-round picks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CBJ acquire draft picks from Seattle in exchange for Oliver Bjorkstrand |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/cbj-acquire-draft-picks-from-seattle-in-exchange-for-oliver-bjorkstrand/c-335069258 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=NHL.com |date=July 22, 2022}}</ref>

In the 2022–23 season, amid expectations of being a competitive team, the Blue Jackets could not overcome their defensive issues and man games lost due to injuries, especially that of top defenseman [[Zach Werenski]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Staff |first=Aaron Portzline and The Athletic |title=Zach Werenski will miss the rest of the season |url=https://theathletic.com/3836451/2022/11/11/zach-werenski-injury/ |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=The Athletic}}</ref> consistently placing them at the bottom of their division and of the league.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Jackets eliminated, could not overcome Werenski injury, slow start |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/why-columbus-blue-jackets-elimnated-from-stanley-cup-playoffs/c-342383272 |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=NHL.com}}</ref> The "lost" season would see the Blue Jackets trade forwards [[Gustav Nyquist]] to the Minnesota Wild<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nyquist traded to Wild by Blue Jackets |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/gustav-nyquist-traded-to-minnesota-wild-by-columbus-blue-jackets/c-341635680 |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=NHL.com}}</ref> and Jakub Voracek to the Arizona Coyotes;<ref>{{Cite web |title=CBJ acquire G Jon Gillies from Coyotes for F Jakub Voracek, draft pick |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/the-columbus-blue-jackets-acquire-jon-gillies-from-arizona-coyotes-in-exchange-for-jakub-voracek-2023-sixth-round-draft-pick/c-341722296 |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=NHL.com|date=March 2, 2023}}</ref> and backup goaltender [[Joonas Korpisalo]] and defenseman [[Vladislav Gavrikov]] to the Los Angeles Kings for draft picks and prospects. Two-time Stanley Cup-winning goaltender [[Jonathan Quick]], also acquired from the Kings, would be traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in less than two days.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Portzline |first=Eric Stephens and Aaron |title=Kings trade Jonathan Quick to Blue Jackets |url=https://theathletic.com/4263518/2023/03/01/jonathan-quick-kings-blue-jackets-joonas-korpisalo-trade/ |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=The Athletic}}</ref> On March 17, 2023, the Blue Jackets were eliminated from playoff contention in their 68th game, after a 7–4 loss to the [[Anaheim Ducks]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jones breaks tie late for Ducks in win against Blue Jackets |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/columbus-blue-jackets-anaheim-ducks-game-recap/c-342178448 |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=NHL.com}}</ref> They finished eighth in their division, with a dismal 25–48–9 record and 59 points, and were 31st in the league.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2023 |title=Columbus Blue Jackets 2022-23 season in review |url=https://www.nbc4i.com/sports/blue-jackets/columbus-blue-jackets-2022-23-season-in-review/ |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=NBC4 WCMH-TV}}</ref> On April 15, 2023, they relieved Brad Larsen of his duties as head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Columbus Blue Jackets relieve Brad Larsen of his duties as head coach |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/columbus-blue-jackets-relieve-brad-larsen-of-his-duties-as-head-coach/c-343568366 |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=NHL.com|date=April 15, 2023}}</ref>

For the 2023–24 season, the Blue Jackets made several changes in the off-season. They looked to improve their blue line by trading for [[Ivan Provorov]] from the Philadelphia Flyers on June 6, 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |title=CBJ acquire defenseman Ivan Provorov in three-team trade |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/cbj-acquire-defenseman-ivan-provorov-in-three-team-trade/c-344759480 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=NHL.com|date=June 6, 2023}}</ref> and then for [[Damon Severson]] from the New Jersey Devils three days later.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Columbus Blue Jackets acquire Damon Severson from New Jersey Devils |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/columbus-blue-jackets-acquire-damon-severson-from-new-jersey-devils/c-344794084 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=NHL.com|date=June 9, 2023}}</ref> On July 1, they hired [[Mike Babcock]] as their new head coach amid much controversy, as he had a reputation of mistreating players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Source: Blue Jackets to hire Babcock as coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37789232/source-columbus-blue-jackets-hire-mike-babcock-coach |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |date=June 3, 2023}}</ref> In the [[2023 NHL entry draft]], they used their third overall pick to draft center [[Adam Fantilli]] from the [[Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey|University of Michigan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Jackets sign Adam Fantilli to three-year entry level contract |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/blue-jackets-sign-adam-fantilli-to-three-year-entry-level-contract/c-345155692 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=NHL.com|date=July 2023}}</ref> Babcock resigned on September 17, after allegations of improper behavior via the ''[[Spittin' Chiclets]]'' podcast led to an [[National Hockey League Players' Association|NHLPA]] investigation into his conduct. He announced his resignation as head coach before the start of the preseason, with [[Pascal Vincent]] being named his successor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2023 |title=Mike Babcock resigns as head coach of the Blue Jackets; Club names Pascal Vincent head coach |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/mike-babcock-resigns-blue-jackets-name-pascal-vincent-head-coach |access-date=September 17, 2023 |website=NHL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mike Babcock resigns as Blue Jackets head coach following photo controversy |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/mike-babcock-to-resign-as-blue-jackets-head-coach-following-photo-controversy/ |access-date=September 17, 2023 |website=Sportsnet.ca}}</ref> On February 15, 2024, the Blue Jackets fired general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jarmo Kekalainen relieved of his duties as general manager |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/jarmo-kekalainen-relieved-of-duties-as-blue-jackets-general-manager |website=NHL.com |access-date=March 15, 2024 |date=February 15, 2024}}</ref> On May 28, [[Don Waddell]] was hired as president of hockey operations and general manager, while John Davidson transitioned to a senior advisor role within the organization.<ref>{{cite web |title=Blue Jackets name Don Waddell president of hockey operations, general manager and alternate governor |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/don-waddell-hired-blue-jackets-president-of-hockey-operations-general-manager |website=NHL.com |access-date=March 15, 2024 |date=May 28, 2024}}</ref> The team struggled once again, finishing with a 27–43–12 record and last in the Metropolitan Division.

On June 17, 2024, the Blue Jackets fired Vincent,<ref>{{cite web |title=Blue Jackets relieve Pascal Vincent of his duties as head coach |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/blue-jackets-head-coach-pascal-vincent-relieved-of-duties |access-date=June 25, 2024 |website=NHL.com |date=June 17, 2024}}</ref> with former [[Minnesota Wild]] coach [[Dean Evason]] named his successor on July 22.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/dean-evason-hired-as-columbus-blue-jackets-coach |title=Evason hired as Blue Jackets coach, replaces Vincent |website=NHL.com |date=July 22, 2024 |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref> On August 29, ahead of the [[2024–25 NHL season|2024–25 season]], Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew were both killed by a driver suspected of [[drunk driving]] while cycling in [[Oldmans Township, New Jersey]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Jackets' Gaudreau killed in car-bike crash |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/41053342/blue-jackets-winger-johnny-gaudreau-brother-matthew-die |access-date=August 30, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |date=August 30, 2024}}</ref> The tragedy was met with tributes from around the NHL and wider sports world, as well as an impromptu memorial established by fans at [[Nationwide Arena]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/johnny-gaudreau-death-social-media-tributes/530-509ae816-f68d-4358-b0d6-8de99e14c7db |title=Social media tributes pour in for Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau |publisher=[[WBNS-TV]] |date=August 30, 2024 |access-date=August 30, 2024}}</ref>