Blue Jackets’ week in review: Werenski’s NHL honor, roster moves, and key results shaping momentum

Werenski earns league recognition as Columbus navigates a busy stretch

The Columbus Blue Jackets closed November 2025 with multiple developments that highlighted both on-ice production and roster management. Defenseman Zach Werenski was named the NHL’s Second Star for the week ending Nov. 23, 2025, after recording three goals and five assists over four games while averaging 27:41 of ice time. During the same span, he led the league with 19 shots on goal and helped Columbus post a 2-1-1 record.

The week also included a notable milestone in franchise history: Werenski passed Cam Atkinson to move into sole possession of second place on the Blue Jackets’ all-time points list, a marker of his long-term impact from the back end.

Roster transactions: veteran depth added and a defender reassigned

Columbus also executed roster moves aimed at reinforcing depth. On Nov. 24, 2025, the Blue Jackets signed veteran defenseman Brendan Smith to a one-year, two-way NHL/AHL contract for the 2025–26 season. Smith, 36, arrived with extensive NHL experience across 14 seasons and was set to join the club shortly after the deal was announced.

A day later, on Nov. 25, 2025, defenseman Dysin Mayo was loaned to the Cleveland Monsters. Mayo had been recalled from Cleveland on Oct. 30, 2025, and made his Blue Jackets debut on Nov. 5, 2025, at Calgary.

Game results: tight finishes and goalie performances frame the narrative

In a key home date earlier in the month, Columbus defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5–4 on Nov. 13, 2025. The Blue Jackets received multi-goal production from Mathieu Olivier, along with goals from Charlie Coyle, Denton Mateychuk and Adam Fantilli. Goaltender Jet Greaves stopped 25 of 29 shots as Columbus held on through a late push from Edmonton.

Later, Columbus extended its ability to grind out points against top competition, falling to the New York Rangers in a shootout while still adding to the standings. In that game, Dmitri Voronkov scored the Blue Jackets’ lone goal and Greaves stopped 31 of 32 shots in regulation and overtime.

What this week indicates for Columbus

• High-end blue-line production remained central to Columbus’ attack, underscored by Werenski’s week and season pace.

• Depth management continued through two-way contracts and reassignment options, providing flexibility across an 82-game schedule.

• Goaltending workloads and performance—particularly from Greaves in high-shot games—were a recurring factor in close outcomes.

From individual accolades to targeted roster adjustments, the Blue Jackets’ late-November stretch showed a team balancing immediate results with the practical demands of lineup depth.