Although the Columbus Blue Jackets currently occupy the top wildcard berth in the Eastern Conference — and have been surging as of late — general manager Don Waddell has a couple of tough decisions to make ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are one of the best stories in all of sports this season. They have responded to the death of Johnny Gaudreau by having their best season in years, holding down a playoff spot heading into the NHL trade deadline.

Columbus Blue Jackets president/general manager Don Waddell can look toward the present and be comfortable about the future at NHL trade deadline.

As reported by The Athletic on Monday, the Blue Jackets are close to signing tough winger Mathieu Olivier to a long-term contract extension. Olivier, a pending unrestricted free agent, has emerged as perhaps the NHL’s top fighter, as well as a leader and a secondary scorer (12 goals) for Columbus this season.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) - Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner will make his season debut on Saturday when the Blue Jackets host the Chicago Blackhawks at Nationwide Arena. Jenner missed the first 56 games of the season after suffering a shoulder injury in October that required surgery.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner appears ready ... of hockey operations and general manager Don Waddell said Friday that Jenner and fellow forward Kirill Marchenko ...

The Columbus Blue Jackets are getting healthy at the perfect time ahead of the National Hockey League stretch run.