As of January 1, 2025, three players from the Columbus Blue Jackets are eligible to sign contract extensions after the signing of Zach Aston-Reese to a one-year deal. The remaining candidates are James van Riemsdyk, Kevin Labanc, and Jack Johnson, each presenting unique possibilities for the franchise.

At 35, van Riemsdyk may become a trade target if the Blue Jackets' hopes for a Wild Card spot dim, attracting interest from multiple playoff contenders. Conversely, should the team stay competitive, he might delay extension talks until the offseason.

Labanc, who joined the Jackets after a professional tryout with the New Jersey Devils, has integrated well as a bottom-six forward and may be poised for an extension soon.

On the other hand, 38-year-old Jack Johnson is at the tail end of his career and could be traded regardless of the Blue Jackets' playoff status, potentially to a contending team like the Colorado Avalanche, to enhance his chances of winning the Stanley Cup.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Dante Fabbro avoided a serious injury after a hit from Conor Geekie, suffering only a charley horse. Teammate Yegor Chinakhov returned to practice after missing 11 games due to an upper-body injury, while Jack Johnson participated in an optional skate following an eye injury.

In other NHL news, the Montreal Canadiens acquired Alexandre Carrier from the Nashville Predators, and the Dallas Stars placed Matt Dumba on injured reserve. The Detroit Red Wings activated goaltender Alex Lyon from IR, while the Florida Panthers and Minnesota Wild reported several player injuries.

Valeri Nichushkin is set to return to the Colorado Avalanche after a six-month suspension related to the player assistance program. His season debut is anticipated against the Washington Capitals at Ball Arena. Despite missing significant time, Nichushkin had a standout previous season, finishing with 28 goals and leading the NHL playoffs in scoring.

His absence from the team has been a topic of discussion, with teammates expressing their support and emphasizing the need for his skills as they face injuries. The Avalanche are looking forward to his return, hoping it will bolster their performance.

In a much-needed victory, the Anaheim Ducks snapped their four-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. John Gibson made a strong season debut with 38 saves, while Brett Leason and Jackson LaCombe each netted their first goals of the season.

Despite a late goal from Kirill Marchenko bringing the Blue Jackets within one, Isac Lundestrom sealed the win with an empty-net goal. The Ducks' solid defensive performance marked a significant turnaround after struggling defensively in recent games.