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Kirk Herbstreit slams Blue Jackets' 'lack of consistency and fight'
TL;DR
Kirk Herbstreit criticized the Columbus Blue Jackets for their lack of consistency and fight, following their failure to make the NHL playoffs. He expressed frustration over the team's performance since key players left.
Key points
- Kirk Herbstreit criticized the Blue Jackets' consistency
- The team missed the NHL playoffs this season
- Herbstreit referenced past key players who left
- He expressed frustration on social media
- Loyal fans deserve better performance
Mentioned in this story
Kirk HerbstreitRick Bowness
NHLColumbus Blue JacketsWashington Capitals
Former Ohio State quarterback and current football analyst Kirk Herbstreit joined in on calling out the Blue Jackets for their end-of-season skid and absence from the NHL playoffs.
Replying to a video post of Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness' fiery press conference from April 17, Herbstreit took to social media to express his frustration for the Blue Jackets after losing their final game of the season to the Washington Capitals.
"It’s been this way for the last 6 years unfortunately coach," Herbstreit wrote in the post on X. "Ever since the nucleus of Foligno, Cam, Bob, and Panarin moved on this team has lost their consistency and fight!"
"We dial in every game and every year-hard to watch. Loyal fanbase deserves more!" Herbstreit continued.
Kirk Herbstreit speaks on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
In a previous post, Herbstreit agreed with a fan who labeled the Blue Jackets' 2026 season as the most disappointing in franchise history.
The Blue Jackets had over a 90% chance to make the playoffs three weeks ago, according to various projections. What followed was a collapse: after a four-game winning streak in mid-March, the Blue Jackets posted a 3-8-1 record, including their latest loss on April 12 against the . The Flyers clinched the final spot in the Metropolitan Division with an overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
Q&A
What did Kirk Herbstreit say about the Blue Jackets' performance?
Kirk Herbstreit criticized the Blue Jackets for their inconsistency and lack of fight, especially after their end-of-season skid.
Why did the Blue Jackets fail to make the NHL playoffs this season?
The Blue Jackets failed to make the NHL playoffs due to a lack of consistency and performance issues, as highlighted by Kirk Herbstreit.
Who are the key players that left the Blue Jackets affecting their performance?
Key players like Foligno, Cam Atkinson, Bobrovsky, and Panarin have left the Blue Jackets, contributing to their decline in performance.
