Columbus Blue Jackets
A season derailed by injury after an off-season of hope
The Columbus Blue Jackets were hoping to take a step in the right direction this year after signing Johnny Gaudreau to a 7-year $68.25M contract in the off-season but have struggled to climb from their place as bottom dwellers.
During a season that began with so much intrigue, injuries quickly derailed the Blue Jacket’s season. Star defenseman, Zach Werenski, was the first to go down after tearing his labrum and separating his shoulder just 13 games into the season. The injury bug then bit star forward Patrik Laine in a season where the Finn was on pace to finish around a point per game.
The team's core, including Gaudreau, Laine, and Werenski, are all under contract for at least three more years. On a young squad, they'll be looked at as the grizzled veterans designated with bringing the franchise out of the league's basement.
This is the fourth season in a row Columbus has failed to make the postseason, and the third they’ve finished dead last in the Metropolitan Division. In the franchise’s 22 years of existence, they've only advanced to the second round once, during the 2018-19 season when they defeated the Presidents Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lighting, who went 62-16-4.
Adding insult to injury, after finishing the season with the league's second-worst record, the Blue Jackets were jumped by the Chicago Blackhawks in the draft lottery and will now select third overall.
David Jiříček, 19, 1st Round (6) 2022, Cleveland Monsters (AHL)
55 Games Played, 6 Goals, 32 Assists, 38 points
A big-bodied defenseman, David Jiříček has quickly become Columbus’ top prospect. Having a phenomenal first season in the AHL, Jiříček has already appeared in NHL games with the Blue Jackets as he looks to crack the opening night roster next season. Jiříček represented his native Czechia at the 2023 World Junior Championship, finishing the tournament with seven points (three goals, four assists). The tournament would be a coming-out party for Jiříček as his offensive and defensive skills were on full display throughout Czechia’s silver medal run. He skates extremely well for a 6’3” defender and uses it to his advantage on both ends of the ice.
Denton Mateychuk, 18, D, 1st Round (12) 2022, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
63 Games Played, 8 Goals, 57 Assists, 65 Points
The Blue Jackets made it a point of emphasis to address their defense at the 2022 NHL Draft when they selected Denton Mateychuk just six picks after Jiříček. Mateychuk is a pure offensive-defenseman, finishing the WHL season tied for seventh place in scoring (65 points) among defensemen. Known as more of a puck-moving defenseman than for his ability to score, Mateychuk struggled during the second half of the season to find the back of the net. After setting a solid pace, scoring in six of Moose Jaw’s first 21 games, he only scored in one of his final 42, putting up two goals on March 12 against the Swift Current Broncos. Mateychuk was named captain this year for the Warriors and will likely return for another season in southern Saskatchewan.
Jordan Dumais, 19, RW, 3rd Round (96) 2022, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
64 Games Played, 54 Goals, 86 Assists, 140 Points
Selected with the final pick in the third round, Jordan Dumais has been playing with a chip on his shoulder all season. Finishing as the top point producer in the QMJHL Dumais' 140 points were 21 points more than the league's second best. With all the noise surrounding Connor Bedard’s lights-out season in the WHL, Dumais flew under the radar. As it appears, Dumais could be a steal for the Blue Jackets and ranks as their top forward prospect. Standing a bit on the smaller side, Dumais stands at only 5’9”, which is presumably why he doesn’t garner as much attention as he deserves. With how poor Columbus has been over the past few seasons, they must be thrilled to add a playmaker like Dumais to their prospect pool later in the draft.
Corson Ceulemans, 20, 1st round (25) 2021, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
33 Games Played, 8 Goals, 15 Assists, 23 Points
Another top defensive prospect for Columbus, Corson Cuelemans, is a big-bodied defenseman who can produce points. Playing in the NCAA as a 19-year-old, Cuelemans led his Badgers team in points among defensemen. Following Wisconsin’s elimination from postseason play, Ceuleman’s and the Blue Jackets decided the time was right for him to leave College and jump to the professional ranks. He joined the Cleveland Monsters for the final month of the season, adjusting to the speed of the pro game, adding a goal and an assist.
Stanislav Svozil, 20, D, 3rd Round (69) 2021, Regina Pats (WHL)
56 Games Played, 11 Goals, 67 Assists, 78 Points
Playing alongside Bedard in Regina, Stanislav Svozil has developed into one of the top defensemen in the WHL. Finishing as the WHL’s third-leading scorer among defensemen, Svozil was also one of the driving forces with Jiříček as Czechia earned the silver medal at the 2023 World Junior Championship. His stock has skyrocketed this season with his WJC performance and his campaign with Regina. It’s questioned if Svozil’s production was just a product of playing alongside Bedard this year, but the Czech defender has the footwork and the offensive talent to contribute regardless of who he’s joined by. He’ll head to Cleveland next season to join Jiříček and Ceulemans.
The Blue Jackets were the league's second youngest team in the NHL this season, with an average age of 25, only older than the New Jersey Devils. Aside from having one of the top prospect pools in the league, they also have an abundance of players early in their careers on the current roster.
Kent Johnson, in his rookie season, looks like he belongs. Pulling off one of the goals of the year against the New York Islanders, as the kid who attended Michigan pulled off a “Michigan” style goal.
Once he made his debut, Kirill Marchenko didn’t look back towards the AHL, reaching the 20-goal mark in only 59 games. With a lopsided 21-goals and four-assists ratio, he’ll need to work on his puck distribution, but there’s no questioning his goal-scoring capabilities.
After a strong rookie season at only 18, Cole Sillinger has left you wanting more from him all season, so much so that he was demoted to finish the year playing in Cleveland. The franchise hopes the move is a positive one, with him coming back next season, fighting to retake his place in the lineup.
With the team's youth along with Gaudreau, Columbus hopes to develop into a contender sooner rather than later, but it will likely take more time as these young players continue to mature.
Adam Boqvist, D, 22
Yegor Chinakhov, D, 22
Liam Foudy, RW/LW, 23
Kent Johnson, C/LW, 20
Kirill Marchenko, RW/LW, 22
Cole Sillinger, C, 19
First Round Picks
No. 3 & No. 21, 22, or 23
First Round Targets
While it's assumed Bedard and Adam Fantilli will be selected first and second overall, the Blue Jackets are scheduled to make the first unknown pick of the draft.
With the third overall pick in the draft, Columbus has a few options, all of which would make sense. They could take the big Swedish forward Leo Carlsson who is a power-forward with skill, or American, Will Smith, one of the best playmaking prospects available. They could potentially take Matvei Michkov but would have to wait three years before his contract expires in the KHL.
With their second pick (position will be determined by the Seattle Kraken and Florida Panthers either winning or losing their second-round series), there are endless options as this first round is so deep. Calum Ritchie, Riley Heidt, Dmitri Simashev, and Nate Danielson would all be solid selections.
