Former NY Islanders hard working depth winger signs with Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced the signing of forward Hudson Fasching to a one-year, two-way deal for the 2025-26 season. The 30-year-old winger, who spent the past three years with the New York Islanders, now joins Don Waddell’s reshaped Columbus roster.

Fasching was praised by Waddell as a “hard-working, responsible winger with size,” bringing energy, versatility, and veteran depth. While he never emerged as a star on Long Island, Fasching carved out a reputation as a trusted role player under multiple Islanders coaches. His ability to chip in offensively while playing a responsible two-way game earned him regular NHL minutes after years of bouncing between the AHL and NHL.

With the Islanders, Fasching’s most memorable season came in 2022-23, when he posted career highs with 10 goals and 19 points in 49 games. He followed that up with a career-best 10 assists in 2023-24, showing steady growth as a depth contributor. Last season, however, he appeared in just 43 games, scoring four points while largely filling a bottom-six energy role.

Over his NHL career, Fasching has tallied 40 points (17G, 23A) in 175 games, with stints in Buffalo, Arizona, and New York. He also produced consistently in the AHL, logging over 160 points in 308 games, including time with Bridgeport, Tucson, and Rochester.

For Islanders fans, Fasching represented the kind of depth player every team needs: reliable, physical, and able to step into bigger minutes when injuries struck. His departure opens up a depth spot on the wing for younger forwards in the Isles system, while Fasching now looks for a fresh start in Columbus.