Ian Cole was a late addition to the Blue Jackets this season, coming to the team on trade deadline day from the Pittsburgh Penguins via the Ottawa Senators for a third round draft pick. Upon his arrival, Cole immediately supplanted Jack Johnson in the lineup and took his spot on the second pairing next to David Savard. Cole logged heavy minutes for the Blue Jackets, playing on the penalty kill and solidifying the bottom two pairing of the Jackets for the first time all season.
Cole came in as a veteran presence to a young team and young blue line that was struggling on the edge of missing the playoffs.