The Columbus Blue Jackets will begin preparations for the 2026-27 National Hockey League season at the Prospects Tournament to be held from September 12-15 at the BELFOR Training Center inside Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

This year’s participating teams will include the Blue Jackets, along with the Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, and Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Blue Jackets’ full practice and tournament schedule (subject to change) includes:

Saturday, Sept. 12
8:15 a.m. – Morning Skate
3 p.m. – vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Sunday, Sept. 13
8:30 a.m. – Morning Skate
3:30 p.m. – at Dallas Stars

Monday, Sept. 14
TBD

Tuesday, Sept. 15
9 a.m. – Morning Skate
2 p.m. – at Detroit Red Wings

The Blue Jackets will be coached in Detroit by Nick Bootland, head coach of the Cleveland Monsters, the club’s American Hockey League affiliate. The roster features 23 players, including 11 that were selected by the team via the NHL Draft.  

Competing for the first time as Blue Jackets are three picks from the 2026 NHL Draft – center Alessandro Di Iorio (94th overall), goaltender Parker Snell (142nd overall) and left wing Filip Novak (206th overall).

Other drafted players scheduled to participate in the tournament include: 2025 – C Owen Griffin; 2024 – D Charlie Elick, G Evan Gardner, D Luca Marrelli; 2023 – C Luca Pinelli, C Oiva Keskinen; 2022 – RW Jordan Dumais; 2021 – D Guillaume Richard.

The roster also features six players who signed entry level contracts with the club: F Josh Eernisse and D Boston Buckberger in 2026, D Caleb MacDonald and RW Jack Williams in 2025, LW Max McCue in 2024, and G Nolan Lalonde in 2022.