The Columbus Blue Jackets are staring down a pivotal offseason — and they might just have their sights set on a player who knows how to win when it matters most. According to sources around the league, veteran forward Yanni Gourde could be on the Blue Jackets’ radar as free agency looms. And if GM Don Waddell is serious about turning this team into a playoff contender, this is a move that could ignite Columbus.
Why Yanni Gourde?
Simple. He’s the exact kind of player the Jackets are missing — a relentless forechecker, a locker room leader, and a two-time Stanley Cup champion who hates to lose.
Gourde, now 33, is hitting free agency after a strong season with the Seattle Kraken, where he once again proved he can drive play, kill penalties, and come through in the clutch. He logged 43 points (15 goals, 28 assists) while anchoring one of the league’s peskiest middle-six lines — and he brings grit, speed, and the kind of experience Columbus desperately needs.
A Cultural Shift in Columbus?
Let’s be honest: the Blue Jackets haven’t exactly been a free-agent hotbed in recent years. But with a new front office, a promising young core, and cap space to play with, the tide could finally be turning.
Bringing in Gourde would signal a culture shift — an acknowledgment that this team is ready to compete now, not years from now. Imagine a checking line with Gourde and Sean Kuraly. Imagine the mentorship he could offer to Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson. This could be the kind of signing that accelerates a rebuild and lights a fire under this roster.
What’s the Price Tag?
Gourde won’t break the bank. He’s likely looking at a 2-3 year deal in the $3.5–4.5 million AAV range — a fair price for a guy who brings playoff pedigree and leadership to a young locker room. The Jackets have the space, and more importantly, the need.
Bottom Line: Go Get Him
If Columbus wants to take the next step in 2025–26, Yanni Gourde is exactly the type of player they should be targeting on July 1. He’s a winner. A workhorse. And most importantly, he’s a guy who plays like every shift could be his last — which might be exactly the energy the Jackets need to finally turn the corner.
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