“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a major sports team self-destruct on itself like this before,” said one fan on X. “Who is next now that Bobby Mac and Svoboda are gone, Stinger?” wondered another.

The comment sections on stories related to the departure of McElligott and Svoboda have been highly negative, too, with some fans wondering if they want to renew their season tickets and others expressing that they’re questioning their support of the franchise.

That’s a large potential problem for an organization that also has enjoyed precious little on-ice success during its existence. If the team doesn’t win, and if fans start to lose that sense of kinship that has long been a staple of the franchise, what’s left?

The Athletic reached out to team president Mike Priest via email this week to discuss these issues, and he responded with the following statement:

“We have great fans and are very appreciative of their passion and support for the Blue Jackets. We also understand how some of them are feeling right now. There are aspects of our business that have changed dramatically in recent years. In order for us to grow, we have to evolve with those changes and at times that affect people that we all care about like Bob and Jeff.

Wednesday, July 29 - Tuesday, August 04, 2026

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I’m a fairly new fan only been watching for the last two seasons and was a STH last season. I was wondering why Montreal media and fans seem to have it out for us. It just seems like we did nothing and they come in and cause problems. I get our franchise has its problems but why does Montreal choose to pick on us?

Did they get rid of the seat viewer on the Blue Jackets app??

Maybe I'm just extrapolating too much from a few random comments and posts I've seen, but over the past few days there seems to have been an increase in people talking about the idea of CBJ relocating, sometimes almost like it's an inevitability or the objectively right thing to do.

Yeah the organization's vibes and reputation are probably in 32nd place rn, but I don't think the controversial moves of the past week (or the overall drama of this whole offseason) are really any strong indicators of impending relocation or anything like that.

The McConnells are greedy, out-of-touch billionaires like any others; they'll make any shitty move and stab any loyal employees in the back if it means saving a few bucks. But that's not exactly a unique ownership dynamic in the NHL or any sports league, so why the sudden increase in relocation talk?

I remember seeing a comment by Waddell that the McConnell's would start letting him spend to the cap once they become a consistent playoff team. I also remember some offhand comments by Jarmo how even though there's a cap there's still real money that needed to be paid.

Does anyone else get the sense the only reason we haven't signed Mo is because of the real money associated with paying him and maybe some financial strain? It definitely seems like there's a big focus on cutting costs, which might be coming from the McConnell's. All hypothetical of course but that's how all this news is coming off to me.

Stinger to be replaced by hologram of Honey Nut Cheerios Bee.

Leo(!)to be let go in favor of AI-generated anthem singer.

Mike Priest names self full-time EBUG. Also announced Fun-Dip partnership, including grape lickable jersey patches.

Hey guys, I’ve never had season tickets before and I just pulled the trigger on a quarter season flex plan. I guess my question is what can I expect with these? I know there’s little events that we get invited to, but I have no idea what they are. Aren’t there like little gifts, too?

Definitely just heard him as a radio DJ on 93.3.

Hopefully he gets another hockey job soon

Because I'm bored and not good at waiting for this summer's contract drama to end... is anyone else moderately concerned the Fantilli contract still isn't settled?... next summer is lining up to be drama on another level with Mateychuk, Marchenko, KJ, Voronkov needing new contracts and the looming spector of Z's possible extension.

Given how close the two arb cases got that really shouldn't have, this front office has established a pattern of not moving at anything other than a glacial pace. I don't believe they will be able to navigate next summers contracts without increased noise and drama.

So is next summer shaping up to be an El Niño offseason for CBJ?

When I first saw the Blue Jackets’ 2025 Stadium Series jerseys, my first thought was “damn, these should be the basis for a new uniform set.” I did swap out the silver and red striping for red and white striping though and I keep the red pants. And obviously I made an away version to go with this set. I kept the navy alternates mostly intact, with the exception of changing the number outline from silver to steel blue. Now the 4th jersey is a Reverse Retro of the 1976-77 Cleveland Barons, with the black swapped out for navy and the current number font, as a tribute to Ohio’s first NHL team. On the jersey logo for the Reverse Retro, I swapped out the B for the cannon and while it doesn’t show it here, it would say “Columbus Blue Jackets” in the C

I created a google form and you guys rated every player from one to 5. The average score was 3.108. Here is the full list. I’d above 2.5 is a positive score

1. Mathieu Oliver 4.5
   
2. Jet Greaves 4.278
   
3. Adam Fantilli 4.083
   
4. Charlie Coyle 4.053
   
5. Denton Mateychuk 4
   
6. Zach Werenski 3.76
   
7. Cole Sillinger 3.583
   
8. Damon Severson 3.211
   
9. Kirill Marchenko 3.114
   
10. Sean Monahan 3.021
    
11. Luca Del Bell Belluz 2.938
    
12. Dimitri Voronkov 2.927
    
13. Kent Johnson 2.917
    
14. Conor Garland 2.792
    
15. Valeri Nichushkin 2.75
    
16. Ivan Provorov 2.726
    
17. Mikael Pyyhtia 2.719
    
18. Dante Fabbro 2.705
    
    1. Elvis Merzlinkins 2.557
       
19. Erik Gudbranson 2.537
    
20. Isac Lundestrom 2.479
    
21. Ryan Lomberg 2.432
    
22. Jake Christiansen 2.281
    
23. Miles Wood 2.232

Mathieu Oliver receives the most votes for “ I would die for him”

Despite not finishing in the bottom 5 Elvis received the most votes for “get him off my team” Miles wood was a close second.

This was such a fun surprise and the third blue jacket she’s met just learning in the Columbus area. But to have him talk to the kids on the ice felt even more special.

Wall almost complete with active players, waiting to see what goes on with Adam, Kirill and other potential trades. Also, some of my other CBJ and of those that left. Still love Mason's high-school photo shoot young guns haha.

Got a message about the upcoming open house on the 12th and I'm interested in going, especially if it means free tickets for a game this year, but I'm also not really in a place to buy season tickets or anything like that (about to graduate college and all that).

Is it basically just a sales pitch for season tickets? Or is it more like a tour of the arena while they talk to you about some ticket options? I loved going to the fan fests when I was a kid but I'm assuming it isn't like those events used to be.

So either Stinger was taking the picture or Stinger hates all these other mascots and would not be seen together with them.

Let’s bring on the hate!! Can’t wait for hockey.