COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS 2024 DRAFT & PROSPECT POOL BREAKDOWN | Scout’s Analysis
today we’ll be breaking down the Columbus Blue Jackets 2024 NHL draft class as well as their Prospect pool as a whole you are locked on NHL prospects part of the locked on podcast Network your team every [Music] day hello and welcome back to lockdown NHL prospects part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day on this show we break down everything prospects related for you five days a week Monday through Friday my name is Sebastian high and I’m the director of European scouting over at Dober prospects typically joined by Hade cakes director of North American scouting at DOA prospects but he is still down with illness uh so I’ll be wrapping up this week’s content for you all but before we jump into the episode today today’s episode is brought to you by Game Time download the game time app create an account and use code lockon NHL for $20 off your first purchase alrighty so the Columbus Blue Jackets had a very interesting giraffe class where they nabbed a talent that has really built a fantastic foundation down the middle for them for the foreseeable future in the into the next decade maybe even two decades by drafting Kaden Linder at Fourth overall but there are some other interesting Selections in this draft class as well so let’s dig right into the players that they selected on that fateful Draft Day in Las Vegas in the blistering heat uh of of of the Nevada desert and it was a really interesting day for them obviously on day one they only made a single selection they were picking at Fourth overall and they had quite a few options on the table whether they want to go pick the big centerman that they end up selecting in Kaden Lindstrom or for the elite dynamism of a guy like Ivan demidov or any of the defensemen that remained on the board uh only Le shanov was off the board at the stage and uh there was a fair few options here but they ended up opting for the power forward centerman who has a ton of Developmental runway in Kaden Lindstrom this is a player who is one of the kindest people you’re going to meet off the ice and one of the people you would least want to suit up against uh playing against on the ice he incredibly sweet and kind uh when you meet him in person but on the ice he’s anything but he plays with violence and viciousness he’s a past he uses his physicality and strength to make the lives of his opponents really really difficult and he does that whether it’s applying defensive pressure or using his frame using his reach using his strength to protect possession and create Dynamic offense this is a very skilled and creative player at his core don’t look past that element of his game just because he’s absolutely massive yes he’s 6’4 he’s over 200 pounds he has a massive frame but he has this deaf amount of skill in this game as well whether it be a goal score a one touch goal scoring from in tight Under Pressure uh being able to score from range he’s a really create creative like playmaker as well there’s so much to like in this game and of course there have been some injury concerns with him he had a hand injury earlier on in the season and he had a herniated disc in his back which uh allowed him to miss a significant part of the back half the year before returning for the playoffs but uh I I wouldn’t be overly concerned every NHL team that had got access to his medical records and I don’t think I saw a single NHL GM Scout management person whatever say anything about their concern about these injuries really uh publicly but uh I think that that lindstrom’s going to be a fantastic addition to this Columbus Blue Jackets organization the onew punch of him and Adam fantelli long-term as these skilled biged centerman that can do just about everything and both still have so much runway in terms of improving and refining and both have Skyhigh first line potential and maybe they even end up on the same line long term very exciting times to be a Columbus Blue Jackets fan but their second pick of the draft the first pick on day two was Charlie ell another violent WHL but this time a right shot defenseman and I really like this pick ell reminds me quite a bit of guys like Braden Schneider in terms of being able to combine a high degree of Mobility with really a bunch of aggression defensively and uh he’s a really really sound defenseman uh i’ I’ve loved the chaotic aggression he’s shown at the W L level which certainly will need to be rained in a little bit but he’s shown at like the uat World Championships that he can play really well into a bit more of a conservative defensive system where he sits back he invites pressure towards him before snuffing it out rather than going for a big like plays suffocating hit to defend the defensive Blue Line uh he’s a really good skater he’s really aggressive he’s strong uh he’s smart defensively as well I’ve really liked uh his decision making and his risk assessment in the defensive Zone and he makes a really good first pass as well that ability to make that good first pass is what I think will translate him into a really solid two-way role at the NHL level not the biggest Point producer of all time though he does have a pretty hard shot from the blue line he he lacks the the dynamic upside that other defensemen in that Columbus system do have whether it be um David yek or uh Denton matuk I think that Alec really fits in nicely uh to provide a bit more of that physical shutdown element while also being able to contribute in the breakout next up with their second pick of the second round they picked a goenda gardner a really interesting selection in my eyes he’s a bit under size for a goenda pucks well he closes down his gaps really nicely uh he doesn’t really let in those th those those soft goals that uh kind of make you frustrated to see at the junior level and he plays a bit of a professional style in that sense I think that in terms of his athleticism there’s still some room to grow um being able to compensate a little bit more for that that subpar frame uh with getting uh post to post a bit with a bit more explosiveness I think is going to be important in his development but he put up really good numbers as a WHL rookie last season uh with Saskatoon uh putting up up over a a 920 save percentage in the regular season and they really needed to add a goal tender to that system uh with Den Neil teras off graduating to the NHL ranks they’re really is a lack of of uh talent in that goal tending pool so investing a second round draft pick to just swing on their favor goenda at that moment I think was a pretty intelligent swing I think I personally would have gone down a different route uh in terms of goal tending and I would have also looked to snap up a guy like Ryerson leenders in the later rounds he ended up going at 219 to the Buffalo Sabers uh because there really is a lack of depth in that go tending pool as well but still I think Gardner is a decent addition here and I’m curious to see how his development will progress they also picked up Luca Morelli from the asosa generals the 6’2 185 pound uh two-way defenseman who is a right shot got and he put up uh 57 points through 67 games this past season and really solid player um I like his skating he’s pretty solid in most aspects of the game he’s a real allrounder uh but I think that if he’s if he’s developed more as like a defense first guy that that’s where he has the most room to grow and the most upside uh also kind of what uh Columbus will be looking in their system uh to kind of foster that type of uh defensive impact and I think that mlli fits in really nicely I think it’s a pretty shrewd selection in the mid rounds uh and yeah I think he’s my favorite selection of uh of of the defenseman which and they picked three defenseman to finish off this draft class and he’s my favorite of the bunch uh next we have uh Tanner hendris uh next we have Tanner henrix a 6 foot4 205lb right shot defenseman who played with Lincoln in the USHL last year and I heard a couple rumors of him even going a lot higher than he ended up going on draft day I mean they selected him uh there in the fourth round at 101st overall but I heard some Rumblings he he could go inside that top 64 but he didn’t end up uh going there uh but he combines that that massive frame uh with a also a a very like young birthday for the draft class he’s a he’s a July uh 25th 06th birthday uh and while he only put up nine points in 59 games he’s a real shutdown defensive defenseman you’re not drafting him to put up a massive amount of points you’re looking for him to leverage his size his range his reach his strength to shut down play in his own end and uh that can kind of also be said for the next guy here in Luke Ashton an absolute Behemoth of a left shot defenseman 6 foot7 231 pound who was a a a behemoth amongst boys uh at the bchl level last season and he even scored 18 goals among his 36 points in 53 games at that level the decision making has been pretty rough in the couple viewings I’ve logged of him he’s extremely raw uh but he’s going to be developing in the college ranks in the US and will definitely need a good amount of time to round out his game iron out uh The Hectic nature of his onpu decision making and uh that that that hesitancy Under Pressure but uh an interesting swing on just a massive frame of a defenseman in the late rounds but it was clear that Columbus approached this draft wanting to add size and physicality both at forward with their Kaden Lindstrom selection and on the back end while also Shoring up their defensive prospect pool I think as a whole this class deserves a B+ grade Landing Kaden lindst at Fourth overall is excellent value I think that’s a fantastic selection for Columbus fans are going to adore this kid when he makes the jump though it will take a couple years uh so don’t don’t rush this player he’s going to need a bit of patience but it’ll be more than worthwhile at the end of the day and uh while I think I would have taken some some other swings on a combination of upside and intelligence in those mid to late rounds Columbus clearly saw an area of need in the size department and they doubl down on that uh but we’ll explore that Prospect pool as a whole a bit more in depth in that next segment but first a quick word from our sponsors passion drive and patience what brings home the winning trophy is also what keeps your ride or die alive eBay Motors has everything you need to maintain your vehicle and level it up to Peak Performance from superchargers to roof racks to LED headlights exhaust kits and far more whether you’re into speed power or style eBay Motors has got you covered with over 122 million parts for your number one one ride or die eBay Motors always has exactly what it is that you looking for and with eBay guaranteed fit which is available to us customers only your part is guaranteed to fit your ride every time or your money back because with eBay Motors you’re burning rubber not cash with all the parts you need at the prices you want it’s easy to turn your car into the MVP and bring home that win keep your ride or die alive at ebaymotors.com eligible items only exclusions apply alrighty let’s delve into this Prospect pool as a whole here in the second segment because there’s so much to be excited for if you are a Columbus Blue Jackets fan obviously there’s already quite a few high-end players that are in the NHL ranks that aren’t going to be included in this break down breakdown whether it be Adam fan Tilly or Kent Johnson or David yich right there’s so many high-end talents that have already made that leap to the NHL level but let’s dig into the guys that haven’t made that leap uh at least full-time just yet starting off obviously Kaden Lindstrom another uh foundational core piece for this franchise moving forward that is a type of player that that you want to and can build around I’m very excited to see how he fits into that long long-term lineup whether it be as a first line Winger or a second line Center slotting in behind Adam fanelli if that is your 1A 1B punch uh long term I think that in great shape but I also think they could do some real damage together so it’ll be interesting to see what Columbus does on that front Gavin Brindley hopefully is going to be making his jump to full-time NHL minutes this season because uh this is one of my favorite players the combination of motor and intelligence and offensive skill whether it being the goal scoring or playmaking departments playing with high Pace under heavy pressure uh being able to out leverage opponents that are far bigger and stronger than him and finding the really dangerous uh spots in soft ice in the offensive zone getting involved uh in in in the buildup on the rush getting involved offensively and really leveraging his intensity and uh and intelligence to to provide a ton of defensive pressure to support his Defenders um and to get that from a Winger especially is especially valuable so he’s one of my favorite players I’m really curious to see what he’s able to do uh with NHL minutes especially if they’re able to Foster that that that continued chemistry between him and vanan Tilly and uh I I’m very excited to see what the future has in store for this player Luca penelli is another guy that I’ve been a massive fan of for quite a few years now uh I watched his first ever OHL game live and I tracked his entire development uh with the Ottawa 67s in the ol he scored 50 goals last season really took the mantle as the guy in Ottawa in the OHL uh and and was that their primary creative driver he he’s a really intelligent playb Builder he has a decent amount of skill on him he’s a solid goal scorer I think the playmaking game also has room to grow when he’s in a system and on a team where he has high-end goal scores to pass to that he can trust to put the puck in in the back of the net which hasn’t really been the case uh with the 67s in recent times and uh his combination of intelligence defensive commitment uh and goal scoring ability is a really really fun he’s also really pesky and intense and uh kind of in that Gavin Brindley mold in some ways as well uh William white lost another interesting Talent at forward for Columbus he’s developing over at the University of Michigan I’m curious to see how he’ll be able to combine with a guy like Michael ha at that level this upcoming year especially with Matt V greeden deciding to to commit to the OHL rather than the NCAA route there might be an opening for added minutes and play time for White Law uh to just continue to refine his game he’s incredibly Dynamic and uh dangerous with the puck on his stick it’s a wicked shot uh really Pacey and quick player as well and he’s not a slam dunk NHL but he does have that top six Boomer bus type of upside Jordan D is a player that I’m very curious is to continue to see at the professional level uh he’s so intelligent he’s a fantastic playmaker from the periphery but playing inside getting to the middle of the ice playing Under Pressure making those decisions in Split seconds under that heavy pressure is something that he’ll need to build up to to Really solidify his NHL uh potential but if he’s able to make that jump I’m I see a play that could be a really intelligent and uh and useful middle six piece uh he’s definitely undersized he’s not particularly physically engaged uh the defensive engagements also working progress but the raw playmaking ability is is really impressive and uh he’ll be playing at a level where he’ll be challenged on that front because the Q jhl just wasn’t challenging him anymore going back to his draft year season almost uh another jhl is James Malatesta who I do think will be making the leap to the NHL this season I’m very curious to see how that goes this is a really intelligent and incredibly quick forward who applies a bunch of pressure never uh gets his foot off the gas pedal and while I think the offensive upside maybe a little bit Limited he’s a really solid two-way piece and uh I think he could be a like slot into a bottom six role as soon as this year for Columbus I mean he almost cracked the roster last season at a training camp as well uh and yeah I’m curious to see what the future holds for him Luca delbel beloo is another interesting player kind of the polar opposite uh to James Malatesta his speed and his feet are are not the strength by any stretch of the imagination but he’s a really solid goal scorer has a wicked shot he can score from medium range he uses his frame to protect possession and to get shots off from in tight there’s definitely still a lot to round out in this game and I think a couple seasons in the AHL will do him a lot of good in refining those elements but uh there’s definitely a potential for like a third line scoring centerman here uh who also brings a ton of of size to the equation but switching our attention to the defensive core there’s also a bunch of fun players in this Regard in Columbus Blue Jacket system whether it be Denton matuk who just came off of a dominant season in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors the dynamic left shot defenseman is a bit undersized but he’s a really fun skater he’s constantly activating in the offensive zone he’s so aggressive offensively and he wants to make things happen he takes risks but they’re calculated he gets back defensively when something goes Ary and I think that that this could really be a a highly entertain top four defensemen long term whether he makes the NHL as of this season I don’t know but a season in the AHL would honestly help his development as well and if he does crack the NHL roster then good on him and I’m excited to see him in that role but uh I think that taking a bit of a patient approach with his development would do him a lot of good of course en kulman another player who already has been playing in in um the AHL with uh with Cleveland but he’s a player that’s kind of bit un heralded in that Columbus system I mean there there’s so many defensemen uh that are trying to make their Mark and crack that lineup and I don’t know if kman will be able to do so this upcoming season but he’s a solid two-way right shot defenseman with a heavy shot an intelligent defensive habits and I think that that there is a future for him as a number four number five defenseman at the NHL level it might just take a couple years time uh to to to develop into that type of role uh Andrew strathman is another player really Dynamic offensively he’s very much like a Denton matuk light he loves to activate offensively takes those risks he’s not as calculated or refined in that risk-taking and I think that the tools are also a step below mat Chucks but uh if matek ends up being your your offensive driver on a second pairing as number three uh strathman could top out as a number five on a third pairing playing a very similar role uh Charlie ellic and Stannis fosil are two more solid defend that I think will be nhlers once they top out whether that be with Columbus or in a different NHL system remains to be seen but I’m hoping spoil can get into some consistent NHL minutes this upcoming season uh he’s a player I’ve always really had a great appreciation for from his level of intelligence and defensive commitment to uh the offensive flashes I mean he scored some of the more entertaining goals of the world juniors that we’ve seen in recent years with an end to-end Rush against Team Canada a couple seasons ago uh and overall a player I I just have a really appreciation for uh Charlie ell obviously too has that upside as a second pairing shutdown guy and he’s going to need a bit of time but in two or three years I think he could be a really really valuable NHL piece already and uh last but not least the goal tender the one notable goal tender in this category recently drafted Evan Gardner who talked about in the last segment going to need time obviously but the foundation of intelligence and refined habits net is something that clearly Columbus valued in selecting him in the second round I think overall this Prospect pool uh should get like an A minus grade obviously the grade would have been a lot higher if guys like vantilly and year Che would have been included in this but still as it stands it’s a strong Prospect pool with a lot to be hopeful for and in terms of areas of need more goal tenders would be a clear area that I think uh should should get some focus in the upcoming drafts or or by means of acquisition I think that yaras ascara would be a fantastic Target if you are the Columbus Blue Jackets uh and also adding another top six uh forward and top four defenseman in terms of prospect projections in the upcoming drafts you never have enough of those and I think that Columbus are a couple of those away from being real like perennial contenders once this Prospect pool ages into the NHL level but that wraps up this second segment for us and in the final segment will be looking ahead at the 20242 season their expectations and some of the the point projections for the young players in Columbus if you want last minute tickets game time is the place to be with game time you can get awesome last minute deals where you can save up to 60% on whatever event you are interested in in attending whether it’s a sporting event whether it’s a concert a comedy show whatever it is that you are interested in game time has you covered game time also offers awesome Zone deals where you pick the zone or the section and Game Time selects the seat for you for added potential savings especially if you have a a really tight schedule and something opens up for you last minute where you have some time to go out and do something fun to treat yourself to an event game time is exactly what you need game time also gives you a lowest price guarantee if you find a Better Price than what is listed on game time just have 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but the East has just been so awfully competitive but with a selection of elite young talents taking added steps in their development I really think that hockey is going to be fun to watch in Columbus this season uh with Adam fan Tilly and David year and Kent Johnson who is primed for a bounceback season that a lot to be excited for in Columbus I think one of the primary things uh to build off of this season which is I think an overall theme with these rebuilding teams is fostering chemistry among the young Stars whether it be Adam fanelly or Johnson or Gavin Brindley David yack uh stanislav fosil who might even be making the NHL uh Cole cylinder should have a bounceback year as well there a lot of young players that have a lot of skill and very specific talents that in the right system in the right right environment while given a Long Leash to make mistakes and practice and learn to create offense and generate offense consistently at the NHL level could really take a big step in their development I think that fostering continued chemistry on that Russian line in that middle six would be really fun to watch uh that that line of Dimitri verono um jagor chin chikov and Kel marchenko was fantastic last year for Columbus and they weren’t getting as many minutes as I think they should have been getting uh as a combination but if they are able to continue that chemistry this season I think that you have a really entertaining and young uh middle six line build off of and uh also on the power play getting these players more Puck touches in space where they’re able to dissect NHL defensive structures with a little bit more patience and a bit more strategy uh and learning to do so um as a unit overall rather than as individual players will do a lot for the development of this group allowing these young players to just make mistakes and learn is going to be key for this season of the rebuilding Columbus Blue Jackets and I think that you could see them uh get into that like bottom eight to bottom 16 range of the NHL standings if you really see significant leaps in development among these players I think Adam fan Tilly could hit the 20 goal Plateau maybe even the 60 point range I think 55 would be a bit more reasonable for his point projections this season David year I think could hit the the 25 Point range as well I I’m hoping to see him get an an increase in minutes especially with guys like Ivon proov on expiring deals and Kent Johnson has to take a leap he should not be starting this upcoming season in the AHL and he should be getting top six minutes at the NHL level ideally alongside a player like vanan Tilly I think if you have those two guys with a guy like Boon Jenner for instance to uh like clean up some of the mistakes uh do some of that dirty work in the offensive zone and uh connect Play Between the forwards and the defenseman I think that you could really see those young guys take some big steps Gavin Brindley hopefully will also be a full-time NHL this season fingers crossed on that one I want to see this guy in the NHL for all 82 games this season and I think if he does uh make that leap playing third line minutes or so he could also be a 15 goal and 35o Guy uh there’s a lot of upside with this player and I think that could start off right out of the gate with solid depth production and I also think that Cole singer is going to make a leap in in his development this season we saw him really stagnate this past season but he has a wicked shot he’s a really skilled offensive player and in a season where there’s hopefully a bit more consistency and structure in Columbus he’ll be able to take those steps in his development but I’m curious to hear from you all what which players in this Columbus system are you most hopeful for which players are you expecting to take big steps in this upcoming season whether it be at the NHL level or down in the depth chart in the prospect pool at the in the AHL or in the various Junior leagues across the world uh and uh let me know which players did I miss talking about in every one of these team breakdowns I only have so much time to focus on on a variety of players and there’s always going to be a couple players that fan bases know a bit better than I do uh that that they are very excited for so please let me know in the comments below uh if you’re watching on YouTube please like subscribe leave us a comment uh engagement is really what we’re looking for here we want to have a conversation with you all in the comments below and if you’re listening on your favorite podcasting platform uh make sure to make us your first Liston of the day it is always incredibly appreciated and for your second lesson of the day go on and check out uh lock on sports today a 24hour news show with all the sporting news you could possibly want to have access to I’m Sebastian High the director of European scouting over at dber prospects typically joined by Hade kakes who will hopefully be back for next week’s shows but that wraps things up for today and we hope you tune back in very very soon
In this episode, we continue our series breaking down every NHL team’s 2024 draft class, prospect pool, and 2024-25 season outlook and expectations, with a deep dive on the Columbus Blue Jackets! First, we dig into the 2024 draft haul, highlighted by the elite talent of Cayden Lindstrom, and assign the class a letter grade. Next, we dig into the prospect pool as a whole, pointing out the most notable young talents and assessing the remaining areas of need in the pool as well as its overall strength. Last, we look ahead to the 2024-25 season and outline the potential expectations and hopes for the Jackets’ roster and prospects alike.
Tune back in tomorrow for an episode digging deep into the Montreal Canadiens’ draft and prospect pool!
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