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2003–04 Columbus Blue Jackets season

{{Short description|National Hockey League season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox ice hockey team season

|League=NHL

|Season=2003–04

|year=2003

|Team=Columbus Blue Jackets

|Conference=Western

|ConferenceRank=14th

|Division=Central

|DivisionRank=4th

|Record=25–45–8–4

|HomeRecord=17–18–4–2

|RoadRecord=8–27–4–2

|GoalsFor=177

|GoalsAgainst=238

|GeneralManager=Doug MacLean

|Coach= Doug MacLean (Oct-Jan)
Gerard Gallant (Jan-Apr)

|Captain=Luke Richardson

|AltCaptain=Todd Marchant
Geoff Sanderson (Oct-Mar)

|Arena=Nationwide Arena

|Attendance=17,369

|MinorLeague=Syracuse Crunch (AHL)
Dayton Bombers (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals (UHL)

|GoalsLeader=Rick Nash (41)

|AssistsLeader=David Vyborny (31)

|PointsLeader=Rich Nash (57)

|PlusMinusLeader=Aaron Johnson (-2)

|PIMLeader=Jody Shelley (228)

|WinsLeader=Marc Denis (21)

|GAALeader=Marc Denis (2.56)

}}

The 2003–04 Columbus Blue Jackets season was the Blue Jackets' fourth season in the NHL, as the team was coming off of a 29–42–8–3 record in the 2002–03 season, earning 69 points to finish in last place in the Western Conference for the second-straight year.

Off-season

Columbus would undergo some changes during the off-season, as leading scorer and team captain Ray Whitney would leave to sign with the Detroit Red Wings. The Blue Jackets named veteran defenseman Luke Richardson the third captain in franchise history.{{cite web |title=COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS NAME DEFENSEMAN LUKE RICHARDSON TEAM CAPTAIN |url=http://bluejackets.com:80/news/press/arts/1636.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=July 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040109055715/http://bluejackets.com:80/news/press/arts/1636.0.html |archive-date=January 9, 2004 |date=September 11, 2003}}

Regular season

The Blue Jackets would get off to a solid start in 2003–04, winning three of their first four games, though the club would eventually go on a seven-game losing streak to quickly fall out of playoff contention. Columbus would continue to struggle, and General Manager and Head Coach Doug MacLean announced on January 1, 2004, that he would step down from head coaching duties, naming Blue Jackets assistant coach and former NHL player Gerard Gallant as his replacement.{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS' DOUG MACLEAN RELINQUISHES COACHING DUTIES, NAMES ASSISTANT COACH GERARD GALLANT INTERIM HEAD COACH |url=http://www.bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1833.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=August 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041010154636/http://www.bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1833.0.html |archive-date=October 10, 2004 |date=January 1, 2004}} Columbus posted a 9–21–4–3 record under MacLean. While the Blue Jackets would play better hockey with Gallant behind the bench, the team would fail once again to earn a playoff spot, as they finished the season with a 25–45–8–4 record for 62 points—seven fewer than the previous season—and finish 29 points the Nashville Predators for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Columbus, however, climbed out of the basement in the Central Division for the first time in franchise history after finishing ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Rick Nash had a memorable season, finishing in a three-way tie with Ilya Kovalchuk from the Atlanta Thrashers and Jarome Iginla from the Calgary Flames to win the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the League's highest goal-scorer; he scored a club-record 41 goals and finished with a team-best 57 points. David Vyborny led the Blue Jackets with 31 assists and finished second to Nash with 53 points. Rookie Nikolai Zherdev also contributed a solid 34 points in 57 games. On defense, Anders Eriksson led the Jackets with 27 points, while Jaroslav Spacek contributed with 22 points in just 58 games. Jody Shelley provided the team toughness, earning a team-high 228 penalty minutes.

In goal, Marc Denis was the team's number one, playing a team-high 66 games, winning 21 of them, posting a team best 2.56 goals against average (GAA) and earning five shutouts.

The Blue Jackets would finish the season having tied the Dallas Stars for most times shut-out, with 11.{{cite web|title=2003-04 NHL Schedule and Results {{!}} Hockey-Reference.com|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2004_games.html|website=Hockey-Reference.com|accessdate=23 September 2016}}

=Season standings=

{{2003–04 NHL Central Division standings |team=CLB}}

{{2003–04 NHL Western Conference standings|team=CBJ}}

Schedule and results

{{Game log start|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002654 5px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 5px solid;|title= 2003–04 regular season{{cite web |title=2003-04 Columbus Blue Jackets Schedule and Results |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/CBJ/2004_games.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=August 10, 2022}}}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002654 2px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 2px solid;|title=October: 3–6–0–1 (home: 3–2–0–0; road: 0–4–0–1)|Game |Date |Visitor |Score |Home |Record |Pts |Recap}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 1 || October 9 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 1–2 || Atlanta Thrashers || 0–1–0–0 || 0 || {{NHL recap|2003020007}}

|- {{Game-won}}

| 2 || October 11 || New York Rangers || 0–5 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 1–1–0–0 || 2 || {{NHL recap|2003020024}}

|- {{Game-won}}

| 3 || October 13 || Vancouver Canucks || 2–3 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–1–0–0 || 4 || {{NHL recap|2003020035}}

|- {{Game-won}}

| 4 || October 16 || Chicago Blackhawks || 1–2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 3–1–0–0 || 6 || {{NHL recap|2003020045}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 5 || October 18 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–3 || Nashville Predators || 3–2–0–0 || 6 || {{NHL recap|2003020062}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 6 || October 22 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 1–4 || Detroit Red Wings || 3–3–0–0 || 6 || {{NHL recap|2003020084}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 7 || October 23 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 1–0 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 3–4–0–0 || 6 || {{NHL recap|2003020088}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 8 || October 25 || Dallas Stars || 3–2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 3–5–0–0 || 6 || {{NHL recap|2003020108}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 9 || October 28 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 3–6 || Vancouver Canucks || 3–6–0–0 || 6 || {{NHL recap|2003020128}}

|- {{Game-otl}}

|10 || October 30 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 3–4 || Edmonton Oilers || 3–6–0–1 || 7 || {{NHL recap|2003020143}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002654 2px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 2px solid;|title=November: 4–6–3–0 (home: 4–2–2–0; road: 0–4–1–0)|Game |Date |Visitor |Score |Home |Record |Pts |Recap}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|11 || November 1 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 0–3 || Calgary Flames || 3–7–0–1 || 7 || {{NHL recap|2003020158}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|12 || November 7 || Atlanta Thrashers || 2–4 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 4–7–0–1 || 9 || {{NHL recap|2003020187}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|13 || November 9 || Calgary Flames || 3–4 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 5–7–0–1 || 11 || {{NHL recap|2003020206}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|14 || November 11 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 1–1 || Montreal Canadiens || 5–7–1–1 || 12 || {{NHL recap|2003020214}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|15 || November 13 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–5 || Ottawa Senators || 5–8–1–1 || 12 || {{NHL recap|2003020229}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|16 || November 14 || Boston Bruins || 4–0 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 5–9–1–1 || 12 || {{NHL recap|2003020237}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|17 || November 16 || Phoenix Coyotes || 2–2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 5–9–2–1 || 13 || {{NHL recap|2003020254}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|18 || November 19 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 1–5 || Detroit Red Wings || 5–10–2–1 || 13 || {{NHL recap|2003020268}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|19 || November 20 || Detroit Red Wings || 0–3 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 6–10–2–1 || 15 || {{NHL recap|2003020276}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|20 || November 22 || New York Islanders || 1–2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 7–10–2–1 || 17 || {{NHL recap|2003020289}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|21 || November 25 || Edmonton Oilers || 3–3 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 7–10–3–1 || 18 || {{NHL recap|2003020308}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|22 || November 26 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–4 || Nashville Predators || 7–11–3–1 || 18 || {{NHL recap|2003020318}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|23 || November 29 || Washington Capitals || 5–3 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 7–12–3–1 || 18 || {{NHL recap|2003020343}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002654 2px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 2px solid;|title=December: 2–9–1–2 (home: 1–6–1–1; road: 1–3–0–1)|Game |Date |Visitor |Score |Home |Record |Pts |Recap}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|24 || December 2 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 1–2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 8–12–3–1 || 20 || {{NHL recap|2003020356}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|25 || December 4 || Nashville Predators || 4–2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 8–13–3–1 || 20 || {{NHL recap|2003020373}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|26 || December 6 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 1–5 || Colorado Avalanche || 8–14–3–1 || 20 || {{NHL recap|2003020391}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|27 || December 10 || Philadelphia Flyers || 1–1 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 8–14–4–1 || 21 || {{NHL recap|2003020410}}

|- {{Game-otl}}

|28 || December 12 || St. Louis Blues || 3–2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 8–14–4–2 || 22 || {{NHL recap|2003020425}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|29 || December 13 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 8–15–4–2 || 22 || {{NHL recap|2003020437}}

|- {{Game-otl}}

|30 || December 16 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 1–2 || St. Louis Blues || 8–15–4–3 || 23 || {{NHL recap|2003020455}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|31 || December 19 || Calgary Flames || 2–1 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 8–16–4–3 || 23 || {{NHL recap|2003020473}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|32 || December 20 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–5 || Minnesota Wild || 8–17–4–3 || 23 || {{NHL recap|2003020486}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|33 || December 23 || Phoenix Coyotes || 2–1 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 8–18–4–3 || 23 || {{NHL recap|2003020505}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|34 || December 26 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 4–1 || Chicago Blackhawks || 9–18–4–3 || 25 || {{NHL recap|2003020517}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|35 || December 27 || Dallas Stars || 4–3 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 9–19–4–3 || 25 || {{NHL recap|2003020524}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|36 || December 29 || St. Louis Blues || 3–2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 9–20–4–3 || 25 || {{NHL recap|2003020539}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|37 || December 31 || San Jose Sharks || 1–0 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 9–21–4–3 || 25 || {{NHL recap|2003020556}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002654 2px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 2px solid;|title=January: 6–6–3–0 (home: 4–2–1–0; road: 2–4–2–0)|Game |Date |Visitor |Score |Home |Record |Pts |Recap}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|38 || January 2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–0 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 10–21–4–3 || 27 || {{NHL recap|2003020567}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|39 || January 3 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 0–1 || Florida Panthers || 10–22–4–3 || 27 || {{NHL recap|2003020581}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|40 || January 6 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 0–6 || Colorado Avalanche || 10–23–4–3 || 27 || {{NHL recap|2003020603}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|41 || January 8 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 3–2 || San Jose Sharks || 11–23–4–3 || 29 || {{NHL recap|2003020619}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|42 || January 10 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–2 || Los Angeles Kings || 11–23–5–3 || 30 || {{NHL recap|2003020634}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|43 || January 11 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–2 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 11–23–6–3 || 31 || {{NHL recap|2003020640}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|44 || January 15 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 3–5 || St. Louis Blues || 11–24–6–3 || 31 || {{NHL recap|2003020665}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|45 || January 16 || Los Angeles Kings || 2–3 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 12–24–6–3 || 33 || {{NHL recap|2003020671}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|46 || January 18 || Edmonton Oilers || 4–4 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 12–24–7–3 || 34 || {{NHL recap|2003020688}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|47 || January 21 || St. Louis Blues || 1–3 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 13–24–7–3 || 36 || {{NHL recap|2003020707}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|48 || January 22 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 0–7 || Chicago Blackhawks || 13–25–7–3 || 36 || {{NHL recap|2003020718}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|49 || January 24 || Chicago Blackhawks || 3–4 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 14–25–7–3 || 38 || {{NHL recap|2003020733}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|50 || January 27 || New Jersey Devils || 4–3 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 14–26–7–3 || 38 || {{NHL recap|2003020750}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|51 || January 29 || Nashville Predators || 6–4 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 14–27–7–3 || 38 || {{NHL recap|2003020764}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|52 || January 31 || Minnesota Wild || 1–2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 15–27–7–3 || 40 || {{NHL recap|2003020784}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002654 2px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 2px solid;|title=February: 4–7–1–1 (home: 3–1–0–1; road: 1–6–1–0)|Game |Date |Visitor |Score |Home |Record |Pts |Recap}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|53 || February 2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 3–3 || Phoenix Coyotes || 15–27–8–3 || 41 || {{NHL recap|2003020797}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|54 || February 4 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 0–1 || Dallas Stars || 15–28–8–3 || 41 || {{NHL recap|2003020810}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|55 || February 11 || Los Angeles Kings || 2–3 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 16–28–8–3 || 43 || {{NHL recap|2003020832}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|56 || February 12 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 1–4 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 16–29–8–3 || 43 || {{NHL recap|2003020843}}

|- {{Game-otl}}

|57 || February 14 || San Jose Sharks || 2–1 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 16–29–8–4 || 44 || {{NHL recap|2003020859}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|58 || February 16 || Nashville Predators || 2–4 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 17–29–8–4 || 46 || {{NHL recap|2003020873}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|59 || February 18 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 1–3 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 17–30–8–4 || 46 || {{NHL recap|2003020889}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|60 || February 20 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–3 || Phoenix Coyotes || 17–31–8–4 || 46 || {{NHL recap|2003020904}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|61 || February 21 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 3–4 || Los Angeles Kings || 17–32–8–4 || 46 || {{NHL recap|2003020915}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|62 || February 23 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–4 || San Jose Sharks || 17–33–8–4 || 46 || {{NHL recap|2003020928}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|63 || February 25 || Chicago Blackhawks || 4–3 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 17–34–8–4 || 46 || {{NHL recap|2003020935}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|64 || February 27 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 4–3 || Chicago Blackhawks || 18–34–8–4 || 48 || {{NHL recap|2003020953}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|65 || February 28 || Colorado Avalanche || 4–5 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 19–34–8–4 || 50 || {{NHL recap|2003020963}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002654 2px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 2px solid;|title=March: 5–10–0–0 (home: 2–4–0–0; road: 3–6–0–0)|Game |Date |Visitor |Score |Home |Record |Pts |Recap}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|66 || March 2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 3–0 || Carolina Hurricanes || 20–34–8–4 || 52 || {{NHL recap|2003020981}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|67 || March 3 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–4 || Dallas Stars || 20–35–8–4 || 52 || {{NHL recap|2003020991}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|68 || March 6 || Vancouver Canucks || 4–0 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 20–36–8–4 || 52 || {{NHL recap|2003021014}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|69 || March 8 || Carolina Hurricanes || 4–1 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 20–37–8–4 || 52 || {{NHL recap|2003021026}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|70 || March 11 || Detroit Red Wings || 4–2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 20–38–8–4 || 52 || {{NHL recap|2003021046}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|71 || March 13 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 3–5 || St. Louis Blues || 20–39–8–4 || 52 || {{NHL recap|2003021067}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|72 || March 14 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–3 || Minnesota Wild || 20–40–8–4 || 52 || {{NHL recap|2003021076}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|73 || March 16 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–3 || Edmonton Oilers || 20–41–8–4 || 52 || {{NHL recap|2003021088}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|74 || March 18 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 0–2 || Calgary Flames || 20–42–8–4 || 52 || {{NHL recap|2003021103}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|75 || March 21 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 5–4 || Vancouver Canucks || 21–42–8–4 || 54 || {{NHL recap|2003021128}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|76 || March 24 || Minnesota Wild || 0–2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 22–42–8–4 || 56 || {{NHL recap|2003021141}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|77 || March 26 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 1–3 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 23–42–8–4 || 58 || {{NHL recap|2003021157}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|78 || March 27 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 3–2 || Nashville Predators || 24–42–8–4 || 60 || {{NHL recap|2003021172}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|79 || March 29 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 0–6 || Buffalo Sabres || 24–43–8–4 || 60 || {{NHL recap|2003021179}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|80 || March 31 || Detroit Red Wings || 3–2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 24–44–8–4 || 60 || {{NHL recap|2003021192}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#002654 2px solid; border-bottom:#CE1126 2px solid;|title=April: 1–1–0–0 (home: 0–1–0–0; road: 1–0–0–0)|Game |Date |Visitor |Score |Home |Record |Pts |Recap}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|81 || April 2 || Colorado Avalanche || 4–2 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 24–45–8–4 || 60 || {{NHL recap|2003021207}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|82 || April 3 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 4–1 || Detroit Red Wings || 25–45–8–4 || 62 || {{NHL recap|2003021220}}

|-

{{Game log section end}}

|-

|

Legend:

{{legend2|#cfc|Win (2 points)|border=1px solid black}}

{{legend2|#fcc|Loss (0 points)|border=1px solid black}}

{{legend2|#ffc|Tie (1 point)|border=1px solid black}}

{{legend2|#fff|Overtime loss (1 point)|border=1px solid black}}

{{Game log end}}

Player statistics

=Scoring=

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • {{dagger}} = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Blue Jackets only.
  • {{double-dagger}} = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Blue Jackets only.

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col" data-sort-type="number" rowspan="2"| {{abbr|No.|Jersey number}}

!scope="col" rowspan="2"| Player

!scope="col" rowspan="2"| {{abbr|Pos|Position}}

!scope=colgroup colspan=6 | Regular season

scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|GP|Games played}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|G|Goals}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|A|Assists}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|Pts|Points}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|+/-|Plus/minus}}

!scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | {{abbr|PIM|Penalties in minutes}}

scope="row"| 61align="left" | {{Sortname|Rick|Nash}}LW80411657−3587
scope="row"| 9align="left" | {{Sortname|David|Vyborny|David Výborný}}RW82223153−2640
scope="row"| 13align="left" | {{Sortname|Nikolai|Zherdev|Nikolay Zherdev}}RW57132134−1154
scope="row"| 26align="left" | {{Sortname|Todd|Marchant}}C7792534−1734
scope="row"| 10align="left" | {{Sortname|Trevor|Letowski}}RW73151732−1216
scope="row"| 8align="left" | {{Sortname|Geoff|Sanderson}}{{double-dagger}}LW67131629−934
scope="row"| 2align="left" | {{Sortname|Anders|Eriksson|dab=ice hockey, born 1975}}{{dagger}}D6672027−618
scope="row"| 25align="left" | {{Sortname|Andrew|Cassels}}C5862026−2426
scope="row"| 27align="left" | {{Sortname|Manny|Malhotra}}{{dagger}}C56121325−524
scope="row"| 3align="left" | {{Sortname|Jaroslav|Spacek|Jaroslav Špaček}}D5851722−1345
scope="row"| 28align="left" | {{Sortname|Tyler|Wright}}C689918−1963
scope="row"| 5align="left" | {{Sortname|Darryl|Sydor}}{{double-dagger}}D4921315−1926
scope="row"| 44align="left" | {{Sortname|Rostislav|Klesla}}D4721113−1627
scope="row"| 20align="left" | {{Sortname|Lasse|Pirjeta|Lasse Pirjetä}}{{double-dagger}}C572810−620
scope="row"| 23align="left" | {{Sortname|Derrick|Walser}}D27189−622
scope="row"| 47align="left" | {{Sortname|Aaron|Johnson|dab=ice hockey}}D29268−232
scope="row"| 16align="left" | {{Sortname|Alexander|Svitov}}{{dagger}}C29268−816
scope="row"| 15align="left" | {{Sortname|Duvie|Westcott}}D34077−1539
scope="row"| 45align="left" | {{Sortname|Jody|Shelley}}LW76336−10228
scope="row"| 22align="left" | {{Sortname|Luke|Richardson}}D64156−1148
scope="row"| 42align="left" | {{Sortname|Mark|Hartigan}}C9134−26
scope="row"| 21align="left" | {{Sortname|Espen|Knutsen}}{{double-dagger}}C14044−52
scope="row"| 7align="left" | {{Sortname|Scott|Lachance}}D77044−2344
scope="row"| 46align="left" | {{Sortname|Tim|Jackman}}RW19123−716
scope="row"| 17align="left" | {{Sortname|David|Ling}}RW50123−398
scope="row"| 32align="left" | {{Sortname|Kent|McDonell}}RW29123−736
scope="row"| 38align="left" | {{Sortname|Andrej|Nedorost}}LW920206
scope="row"| 41align="left" | {{Sortname|Brad|Moran|dab=ice hockey}}C2112−12
scope="row"| 30align="left" | {{Sortname|Marc|Denis}}G66022style="background:#ccc|10
scope="row"| 24align="left" | {{Sortname|Todd|Rohloff}}{{double-dagger}}D24022−128
scope="row"| 49align="left" | {{Sortname|Dan|Fritsche}}C19101−512
scope="row"| 19align="left" | {{Sortname|Brian|Holzinger}}{{dagger}}C13101−42
scope="row"| 36align="left" | {{Sortname|Don|MacLean|dab=ice hockey}}C4101−10
scope="row"| 33align="left" | {{Sortname|Jeremy|Reich}}LW9011−320
scope="row"| 37align="left" | {{Sortname|Darrel|Scoville}}D8011−46
scope="row"| 40align="left" | {{Sortname|Fred|Brathwaite}}G21000style="background:#ccc|2
scope="row"| 34align="left" | {{Sortname|Jean-Luc|Grand-Pierre}}{{double-dagger}}D16000−312
scope="row"| 18align="left" | {{Sortname|Zenith|Komarniski}}{{dagger}}D200000
scope="row"| 31align="left" | {{Sortname|Pascal|Leclaire}}G2000style="background:#ccc|0
scope="row"| 14align="left" | {{Sortname|Greg|Mauldin}}C6000−24
scope="row"| 19align="left" | {{Sortname|Joe|Motzko}}RW200000
scope="row"| 39align="left" | {{Sortname|Mike|Pandolfo}}LW3000−20
scope="row"| 6align="left" | {{Sortname|Jamie|Pushor}}{{dagger}}{{double-dagger}}D7000−22

=Goaltending=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col" rowspan="2"| {{abbr|No.|Jersey number}}

!scope="col" rowspan="2"| Player

!scope=colgroup colspan=10 | Regular season

scope="col" | {{abbr|GP|Games played}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|W|Wins}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|L|Losses}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|T|Ties}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|SA|Shots against}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|GA|Goals against}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|GAA|Goals against average}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|SV%|Save percentage}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|SO|Shutouts}}

!scope="col" | {{abbr|TOI|Time on ice}}

scope="row"| 30align="left" | Marc Denis662136719701622.56.91853796
scope="row"| 40align="left" | Fred Brathwaite214111574593.37.89701050
scope="row"| 31align="left" | Pascal Leclaire20206973.53.8990119

Awards and records

=Awards=

class="wikitable"
scope="col" |Type

! scope="col" |Award/honor

! scope="col" |Recipient

! scope="col" |Ref

scope="row" | League
(annual)

| Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy

| Rick Nash{{efn|Shared with Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atlanta Thrashers and Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames}}

|{{cite web |title=Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy |url=https://records.nhl.com/awards/trophies/maurice-rocket-richard-trophy |website=records.nhl.com |access-date=August 8, 2022}}

scope="row" rowspan="3" | League
(in-season)

| NHL All-Star Game selection

| Rick Nash

|{{cite web |title=2004 NHL All-Star Game Rosters |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/allstar/NHL_2004_roster.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=August 29, 2024}}

NHL Offensive Player of the Week

| David Vyborny (March 1)

|{{cite web |title=DAVID VYBORNY NAMED NHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1897.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=August 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028071909/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1897.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=March 1, 2004}}

NHL YoungStars Game selection

| Nikolay Zherdev

|{{cite web |title=2004 YoungStars Game rosters |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=1717334 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=August 10, 2022 |date=January 24, 2004}}

scope="row" rowspan="5"| Team

| Foundation Community Service Award

| Luke Richardson

|Columbus Blue Jackets 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.301

Three Stars Award

| Rick Nash

|

=Milestones=

class="wikitable"
scope="col" |Milestone

! scope="col" |Player

! scope="col" |Date

! scope="col" |Ref

rowspan=9| First game

| Dan Fritsche

| October 9, 2003

| rowspan=9|{{cite web |title=2003-04 NHL Debuts |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2004_debut.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=October 13, 2024}}

Aaron Johnson

| rowspan=2| December 2, 2003

Nikolay Zherdev
Tim Jackman

| December 20, 2003

Jeremy Reich

| January 21, 2004

Joe Motzko

| February 2, 2004

Pascal Leclaire

| February 20, 2004

Greg Mauldin

| rowspan=2| March 26, 2004

Mike Pandolfo

Transactions

The Blue Jackets were involved in the following transactions from June 10, 2003, the day after the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 7, 2004, the day of the deciding game of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals.{{cite web |title=Hockey Transactions Search Results |url=http://www.prosportstransactions.com/hockey/Search/SearchResults.php?Player=&Team=Blue+Jackets&BeginDate=2003-06-10&EndDate=2004-06-07&PlayerMovementChkBx=yes&submit=Search&start=0 |website=Pro Sports Transactions |access-date=May 8, 2022}}

=Trades=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width: 50em;"
scope="col"| Date

! scope="col" colspan="2"| Details

! scope="col"| Ref

scope="row" rowspan=2| {{start date|2003|06|22}}

| valign="top"| To Carolina Hurricanes

{{blist |4th-round pick in 2004}}

| valign="top"| To Columbus Blue Jackets

{{blist |5th-round pick in 2003 |6th-round pick in 2003}}

|{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS SELECT SEVEN MORE PLAYERS ON FINAL DAY OF 2003 NHL ENTRY DRAFT AT NASHVILLE'S GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT CENTER |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1599.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028193222/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1599.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=June 22, 2003}}

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

| valign="top"| To Los Angeles Kings

{{blist |9th-round pick in 2004}}

| valign="top"| To Columbus Blue Jackets

{{blist |9th-round pick in 2003}}

|

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|07|22}}

| valign="top"| To Dallas Stars

{{blist |Mike Sillinger |2nd-round pick in 2004}}

| valign="top"| To Columbus Blue Jackets

{{blist |Darryl Sydor}}

|{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS ACQUIRE TWO-TIME ALL-STAR DEFENSEMAN DARRYL SYDOR FROM DALLAS |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1611.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028203003/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1611.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=July 22, 2003}}

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

! scope="row"| {{start date|2003|10|03}}

| valign="top"| To Boston Bruins

{{blist |Travis Green}}

| valign="top"| To Columbus Blue Jackets

{{blist |6th-round pick in 2004}}

|{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS ACQUIRE SIXTH ROUND PICK FROM BOSTON BRUINS |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1672.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029074727/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1672.0.html |archive-date=October 29, 2004 |date=October 3, 2003}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|10|30}}

| valign="top"| To Vancouver Canucks

{{blist |Sean Pronger}}

| valign="top"| To Columbus Blue Jackets

{{blist |Zenith Komarniski}}

|{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS SIGN ACQUIRE PROSPECT ZENITH KOMARNISKI FROM VANCOUVER IN EXCHANGE FOR SEAN PRONGER |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1714.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029151147/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1714.0.html |archive-date=October 29, 2004 |date=October 30, 2003}}

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

! scope="row"| {{start date|2003|12|31}}

| valign="top"| To Atlanta Thrashers

{{blist |Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre}}

| valign="top"| To Columbus Blue Jackets

{{blist |Future considerations}}

|{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS TRADE RW/D JEAN-LUC GRAND-PIERRE TO ATLANTA THRASHERS IN EXCHANGE FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1797.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029164801/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1797.0.html |archive-date=October 29, 2004 |date=December 31, 2003}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2004|01|23}}

| valign="top"| To New York Rangers

{{blist |Jamie Pushor}}

| valign="top"| To Columbus Blue Jackets

{{blist |8th-round pick in 2004}}

|{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS TRADE DEFENSEMAN JAMIE PUSHOR |url=http://www.bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1833.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041010154636/http://www.bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1833.0.html |archive-date=October 10, 2004 |date=January 23, 2004}}

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

! scope="row"| {{start date|2004|01|27}}

| valign="top"| To Tampa Bay Lightning

{{blist |Darryl Sydor |4th-round pick in 2004}}

| valign="top"| To Columbus Blue Jackets

{{blist |Alexander Svitov |3rd-round pick in 2004}}

|{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS ACQUIRE ALEXANDER SVITOV, '04 3RD ROUND PICK FROM TAMPA BAY IN EXCHANGE FOR DARRYL SYDOR AND '04 4TH ROUND PICK |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1841.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029160416/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1841.0.html |archive-date=October 29, 2004 |date=January 27, 2004}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2004|02|10}}

| valign="top"| To Pittsburgh Penguins

{{blist |Pauli Levokari}}

| valign="top"| To Columbus Blue Jackets

{{blist |Brendan Buckley}}

|{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS ACQUIRE DEFENSEMAN BRENDAN BUCKLEY FROM PITTSBURGH IN EXCHANGE FOR PAULI LEVOKARI |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1861.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029173356/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1861.0.html |archive-date=October 29, 2004 |date=February 10, 2004}}

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

! scope="row" rowspan=2| {{start date|2004|03|09}}

| valign="top"| To Pittsburgh Penguins

{{blist |Lasse Pirjeta}}

| valign="top"| To Columbus Blue Jackets

{{blist |Brian Holzinger}}

|{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS ACQUIRE CENTER BRIAN HOLZINGER FROM PITTSBURGH PENGUINS IN EXCHANGE FOR CENTER LASSE PIRJETA |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1914.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028103217/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1914.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=March 9, 2004}}

valign="top"| To Vancouver Canucks
{{blist |Geoff Sanderson}}

| valign="top"| To Columbus Blue Jackets

{{blist |3rd-round pick in 2004}}

|{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS TRADE LEFT WING GEOFF SANDERSON TO VANCOUVER FOR A THIRD ROUND PICK IN THE 2004 ENTRY DRAFT |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1915.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028104235/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1915.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=March 9, 2004}}

=Players acquired=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
style="background:#ddd; text-align:center;"

! Date

PlayerFormer teamTermViaRef
scope="row" rowspan=2| {{start date|2003|07|03}}

| Trevor Letowski || Vancouver Canucks || multi-year || Free agency||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS SIGN FREE AGENTS TODD MARCHANT & TREVOR LETOWSKI |url=http://www.bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1604.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041022081225/http://www.bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1604.0.html |archive-date=October 22, 2004 |date=July 3, 2003}}

Todd MarchantEdmonton Oilersmulti-yearFree agency
scope="row"| {{start date|2003|07|15}}

| Mark Hartigan || Atlanta Thrashers || 1-year || Free agency||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS SIGN CENTER MARK HARTIGAN, DEFENSEMAN ALEXANDER GUSJKOV |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1607.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028200008/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1607.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=July 15, 2003}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|09|05}}

| Todd Rohloff || Washington Capitals || 1-year || Free agency||{{cite web |title=COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS SIGN DEFENSEMAN TODD ROHLOFF |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1626.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028222039/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1626.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=September 5, 2003}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|10|03}}

| Travis Green || Toronto Maple Leafs || style="background:#ccc| || Waiver draft ||

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|10|10}}

| Anders Eriksson || Toronto Maple Leafs || 1-year || Free agency||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS SIGN DEFENSEMAN ANDERS ERIKSSON |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1684.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029085818/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1684.0.html |archive-date=October 29, 2004 |date=October 10, 2003}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|11|21}}

| Manny Malhotra || Dallas Stars || style="background:#ccc| || Waivers ||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS CLAIM CENTER MANNY MALHOTRA OFF WAIVERS FROM DALLAS STARS |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1749.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029164118/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1749.0.html |archive-date=October 29, 2004 |date=November 21, 2003}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|12|10}}

| Jamie Pushor || Syracuse Crunch (AHL) || 1-year || Free agency||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS SIGN DEFENSEMAN JAMIE PUSHOR |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1773.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029142036/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1773.0.html |archive-date=October 29, 2004 |date=December 10, 2003}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2004|04|12}}

| Prestin Ryan || University of Maine (HE) || 1-year || Free agency||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS SIGN UNIVERSITY OF MAINE ALL-AMERICA DEFENSEMAN PRESTIN RYAN |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1975.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028083537/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1975.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=April 12, 2004}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2004|04|19}}

| Brandon Sugden || Syracuse Crunch (AHL) || 1-year{{efn|name=fn1|Club option for a second year.}} || Free agency||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS SIGN FORWARDS GREG MAULDIN AND BRANDON SUGDEN |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1981.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028085649/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1981.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=April 19, 2004}}

=Players lost=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
style="background:#ddd; text-align:center;"

! Date

PlayerNew teamVia{{efn|In parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.{{cite web |title=2003 NHL free agent list |url=http://a.espncdn.com/nhl/news/2003/0701/1575272.html |website=ESPN.com |access-date=May 8, 2022 |date=July 1, 2003}}}}Ref
scope="row" rowspan=3| {{start date|2003|07|01}}

| Radim Bicanek{{efn|Bicanek was inactive during the 2003–04 season.{{eliteprospects|23859|Radim Bicanek}}, retrieved May 16, 2022}} || style="background:#ccc| || Contract expiration (UFA) ||

Jean-Francois LabbeHC Lada Togliatti (RSL)Free agency (VI){{hockey-reference|l/labbeje01|Jean-Francois Labbe}}, retrieved May 16, 2022
Jonathan Schill{{efn|Schill retired.{{eliteprospects|203787|Jonathan Schill}}, retrieved May 16, 2022}}style="background:#ccc|Contract expiration (UFA)
scope="row"| {{start date|2003|07|07}}

| Darren Van Impe || Hamburg Freezers (DEL) || Free agency (UFA) ||{{hockey-reference|v/vanimda01|Darren Van Impe}}, retrieved May 16, 2022

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|07|15}}

| Matt Davidson || Calgary Flames || Free agency (VI) || {{cite web |title=Flames re-sign Yelle, add Davidson |url=http://www.calgaryflames.com/cgi-bin/news/comments.cgi?type=press_rel&file_num=0000000864 |website=Calgary Flames |access-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030803062632/http://www.calgaryflames.com/cgi-bin/news/comments.cgi?type=press_rel&file_num=0000000864 |archive-date=August 3, 2003 |date=July 15, 2003}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|07|29}}

| Ray Whitney || Detroit Red Wings || Free agency (III) ||{{cite web |title=Red Wings sign Ray Whitney |url=http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=48906&hubName=nhl-red_wings |website=TSN.ca |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031001045009/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=48906&hubName=nhl-red_wings |archive-date=October 1, 2003 |date=July 29, 2003 |url-status=live }}

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|08|09}}

| Paul Manning || Hamburg Freezers (DEL) || Free agency (II){{efn|Columbus retained Manning’s NHL rights through the 2006–07 season.{{cite web |title=NHL Releases Free Agent List |url=https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/nhl-releases-free-agent-list/c-426863 |publisher=Colorado Avalanche |access-date=May 16, 2022 |date=July 1, 2007}}}} ||{{hockey-reference|m/mannipa01|Paul Manning}}, retrieved May 16, 2022

scope="row" rowspan=2| {{start date|2003|09|10}}

| Jamie Allison || Nashville Predators || Free agency (UFA) ||{{cite web |title=Predators Transactions |url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/team/history/transactions |website=Nashville Predators |access-date=May 16, 2022}}

Mathieu DarcheNashville PredatorsFree agency (VI)
scope="row"| {{start date|2003|10|03}}

| Petr Tenkrat || Toronto Maple Leafs || Waiver draft ||

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|10|09}}

| Dan Watson || Providence Bruins (AHL) || Free agency (UFA) ||{{cite web |title=Thomas Assigned to P-Bruins, Wilde Signed |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/thomas-assigned-to-p-bruins-wilde-signed/n-2344221 |website=OurSports Central |access-date=May 16, 2022 |date=October 9, 2003}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|10|10}}

| Blake Bellefeuille || Providence Bruins (AHL) || Free agency (VI) ||{{hockey-reference|b/bellebl01|Blake Bellefeuille}}, retrieved May 16, 2022

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|12|16}}

| Espen Knutsen || Valerenga (Norway){{efn|Knutsen signed with Valerenga on December 17.{{hockey-reference|k/knutses01|Espen Knutsen}}, retrieved May 16, 2022}} || Buyout ||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS RECALL JEAN-LUC GRAND-PIERRE; REACH BUY-OUT AGREEMENT WITH ESPEN KNUTSEN |url=http://www.bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1778.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031224083649/http://www.bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1778.0.html |archive-date=December 24, 2003 |date=December 16, 2003}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2004|01|09}}

| Todd Rohloff || Washington Capitals || Waivers ||{{cite web |title=DEFENSEMAN TODD ROHLOFF CLAIMED OFF WAIVERS BY WASHINGTON CAPITALS |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1812.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029135149/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1812.0.html |archive-date=October 29, 2004 |date=January 9, 2004}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2004|05|12}}

| Derrick Walser || Eisbaren Berlin (DEL) || Free agency{{efn|Columbus retained Walser’s NHL rights until trading them to the Carolina Hurricanes on July 30, 2005.{{cite web |title=‘CANES WRAP UP ACTIVE DAY AT NHL ENTRY DRAFT |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-wrap-up-active-day-at-nhl-entry-draft/c-470455 |website=NHL.com |access-date=November 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601131740/https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-wrap-up-active-day-at-nhl-entry-draft/c-470455 |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |date=July 30, 2005}}}} ||{{cite web |title=EHC verpflichtet Derrick Walser |url=http://eisbaeren.de/module/news/detail.php?BACKLINK=1&REALLANG=1&RID=1163 |website=Eisbären Berlin |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040611052752/http://eisbaeren.de/module/news/detail.php?BACKLINK=1&REALLANG=1&RID=1163 |archive-date=June 11, 2004 |language=German |date=May 12, 2004 |url-status=live }}

=Signings=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
style="background:#ddd; text-align:center;"

! Date

PlayerTermContract typeRef
scope="row" rowspan=2| {{start date|2003|06|12}}

| Pauli Levokari || 1-year{{efn|name=fn1}} || Re-signing ||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS RE-SIGN PAIR OF PLAYERS |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1580.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028185457/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1580.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=June 12, 2003}}

Donald MacLean1-year{{efn|name=fn1}}Re-signing
scope="row"| {{start date|2003|07|01}}

| Andrew Cassels || multi-year || Re-signing ||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS RE-SIGN CENTER ANDREW CASSELS |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1603.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028194328/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1603.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=July 1, 2003}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|07|15}}

| Aleksandr Guskov || multi-year || Entry-level ||

scope="row" rowspan=2| {{start date|2003|07|18}}

| Darrel Scoville || || Re-signing ||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS RE-SIGN PAIR OF DEFENSEMEN |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1610.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028201748/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1610.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=July 18, 2003}}

Derrick WalserRe-signing
scope="row" rowspan=2| {{start date|2003|07|24}}

| David Ling || || Re-signing ||{{cite web |title=LING AND MORAN RE-SIGN WITH BLUE JACKETS |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1612.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028203329/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1612.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=July 24, 2003}}

Brad MoranRe-signing
scope="row" rowspan=2| {{start date|2003|08|13}}

| Kent McDonell || || Re-signing ||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS RE-SIGN RIGHT WING KENT McDONELL AND LEFT WING JEREMY REICH |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1615.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028205301/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1615.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=August 13, 2003}}

Jeremy ReichRe-signing
scope="row"| {{start date|2003|08|15}}

| Nikolay Zherdev || multi-year || Entry-level ||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS SIGN 2003 FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK NIKOLAI ZHERDEV TO MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1618.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028213612/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1618.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=August 15, 2003}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|08|26}}

| Karl Goehring || || Re-signing ||{{cite web |title=COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS RE-SIGN GOALTENDER KARL GOEHRING |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1621.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028214920/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1621.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=August 26, 2003}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2003|10|06}}

| Dan Fritsche || multi-year || Entry-level ||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS SIGN 2003 DRAFT PICK DAN FRITSCHE TO MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1673.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029075533/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1673.0.html |archive-date=October 29, 2004 |date=October 6, 2003}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2004|03|19}}

| Steven Goertzen || multi-year || Entry-level ||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS SIGN 2002 DRAFT PICK STEVEN GOERTZEN |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1934.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028125843/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/1934.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=March 19, 2004}}

scope="row"| {{start date|2004|04|19}}

| Greg Mauldin || multi-year || Entry-level ||

scope="row"| {{start date|2004|05|26}}

| Jody Shelley || 2-year || Re-signing ||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS RE-SIGN LEFT WING JODY SHELLEY TO MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/2036.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028121133/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/2036.0.html |archive-date=October 28, 2004 |date=May 26, 2004}}

scope="row" rowspan=2| {{start date|2004|06|01}}

| Tim Konsorada || multi-year || Entry-level ||{{cite web |title=BLUE JACKETS SIGN 2002 ENTRY DRAFT PICKS TIM KONSORADA AND OLE-KRISTIAN TOLLEFSEN |url=http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/2039.0.html |website=Columbus Blue Jackets |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029155152/http://bluejackets.com/news/press/arts/2039.0.html |archive-date=October 29, 2004 |date=June 1, 2004}}

Ole-Kristian Tollefsenmulti-yearEntry-level

Draft picks

Columbus' draft picks at the 2003 NHL entry draft held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee.{{cite web |title=2003 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com |url=https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2003e.html |website=www.hockeydb.com |access-date=August 8, 2022}}

class="wikitable"
align="center"

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="4.0%" | Round

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="4.0%" | #

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="21.0%" | Player

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="21.0%" | Nationality

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="100.0%" | College/Junior/Club team (League)

14Nikolai Zherdev{{RUS}}CSKA Moscow (Russia)
246Dan Fritsche{{USA}}Sarnia Sting (OHL)
371Dmitri Kosmachev{{RUS}}CSKA Moscow (Russia)
4103Kevin Jarman{{CAN}}Stouffville Spirit (OPJHL)
4104Philippe Dupuis{{CAN}}Hull Olympiques (QMJHL)
5138Arsi Piispanen{{FIN}}Jokerit (Finland)
6168Marc Methot{{CAN}}London Knights (OHL)
7200Alexander Guskov{{RUS}}Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Russia)
8233Mathieu Gravel{{CAN}}Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
9283Trevor Hendrikx{{CAN}}Peterborough Petes (OHL)

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{refbegin}}

  • {{cite web |url= https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0023302004.html |title=Columbus Blue Jackets 2003–04 roster and statistics |publisher=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=August 8, 2022}}
  • {{cite web |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/CBJ/2004.html |title=2003–04 Columbus Blue Jackets Roster and Statistics |publisher=Sports Reference LLC |work=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=August 8, 2022}}
  • National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007

{{refend}}

{{reflist}}

{{2003–04 NHL season by team}}

{{Columbus Blue Jackets}}

{{Columbus Blue Jackets seasons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2003-04 Columbus Blue Jackets Season}}

Columbus

Category:Columbus Blue Jackets seasons

Blue

Blue