NHL Insider Reveals Columbus Blue Jackets’ Shocking Locker Room Situation

The Columbus Blue Jackets are stuck in a rough patch, dropping four straight games and struggling to find their groove. Their latest heartbreaker? A tough 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, where Jake Allen turned into a brick wall, stopping a jaw-dropping 45 shots—23 of them in a desperate third-period push. Mathieu Olivier finally snapped Columbus’ brutal scoring drought of nearly 183 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to stop the bleeding. Meanwhile, Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt struck gold for the Devils, scoring just 39 seconds apart in the second to steal the momentum and keep Jersey’s playoff chase alive.

But beyond the scoreboard drama, there’s something brewing behind the scenes. The Blue Jackets aren’t just fighting battles on the ice—their locker room situation is turning heads, and not in a good way. NHL insiders have spilt some tea, revealing what’s really going on inside Columbus’ camp as the team scrambles to stay in the playoff hunt. With frustration mounting and tensions bubbling under the surface, this losing streak might be exposing deeper cracks than anyone expected.

The Columbus Blue Jackets’ locker room is looking more like a game of musical chairs! With a packed house due to injuries and call-ups, Aaron Portzline took to X on March 19 to point out the unusual setup, sharing that “#CBJ dressing room has too many players and not enough stalls, so center Cole Sillinger has a seat and a temporary locker in the middle of the room. Pretty convenient location: trash can right behind him, back to the coaches …” Not exactly the VIP treatment, huh?

Meanwhile, a fan jumped in to clear things up, explaining that “No, they just have up to 28 players using the locker room because of injuries and call-ups. CBJ have had their injured guys present during the season. Also the team practice rink is down the hall, so even guys rehabbing alone still use the same locker room to get ready..” So while it may not be total chaos, it’s definitely a tight squeeze—just maybe not the most glamorous setup for Sillinger!

The losses keep piling up like a bad dream on repeat for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Before their latest stumble, Igor Shesterkin slammed the door shut with 21 saves, leading the Rangers to a 4-0 shutout at Nationwide Arena. And before that? Adin Hill pulled off the same trick, stopping 27 shots as the Vegas Golden Knights cruised to another 4-0 beatdown. Oh, and rewind a little more—Jesper Bratt was out there cooking, stacking up a goal and two assists to push the Devils past Columbus in a 5-3 showdown.

But while the scoreboard’s been rough, the locker room is where things get real interesting. You’d think after a fresh renovation, it’d be all sleek and polished, but somehow, chaos found a way to sneak in. And speaking of their locker room, it wasn’t too long ago that it got a fresh makeover!

Columbus Blue Jackets’ locker room gets an upgrade!

Smack dab in the heart of Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide Arena isn’t just where the Blue Jackets hit the ice—it’s a buzzing hub for top-tier entertainment and special events all year long. And let’s talk about their locker room glow-up! Back in 2021, the arena kicked off a next-level renovation to turn the Blue Jackets’ training space into an absolute dream. The 2,900-square-foot revamp gave the locker room a massive 15-foot ceiling, sleek new flooring, and locker stalls built to last. Oh, and did we mention the four-screen video panel jumbotron hanging right in the center? Yeah, this isn’t just a locker room—it’s a full-on NHL-level command center.

Then came Phase II in 2022, which took things even higher. We’re talking about a revamped weight room, an expanded laundry facility, and a swanky new dining area, family lounge, and player’s lounge. They even added a second-level cardio mezzanine, so players can grind away while keeping an eye on workouts below. And because safety is key in this high-contact sport, the X-ray room got a serious upgrade with cutting-edge tech to keep injuries in check. The best part? The new hydrotherapy tubs—complete with flat-screen TVs—give the squad a luxurious recovery setup, blending practicality with peak post-game relaxation.

But they didn’t stop at the locker room—Nationwide Arena got its own glow-up too! The owner’s suite now boasts modern finishes, cozy social spaces, and prime game-day vibes, all wrapped in Blue Jackets branding and stylish LED lighting. They even decked out the player’s grand entrance with a massive video board and a name-lit hallway leading straight to the ice, cranking up the hype for both players and fans. Whether it’s game night or just another training day, the Blue Jackets now have a top-tier space that screams power, pride, and pure hockey energy!