The Columbus Blue Jackets made a terrible move the last time they had the third overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft. In 2016 it seemed like a given that Auston Matthews would go first, followed by Patrick Lane. That actually happened, however, and it seemed pretty clear that Jesse Polijarvi would be the third overall pick. However, Jarmo Kekalainen and his scouting staff had a different idea. Instead, they chose Pierre-Luc Dubois, a highly popular candidate but not considered among the top of the line. This undoubtedly turned out to be the right move, as Dubois turned into a quality player of NHL caliber; If not for the blue jackets. Meanwhile, Puljujarvi struggled to gain any traction in Edmonton.
The year 2023 is very different
This time around, though, it looks like Columbus will be more inclined to stay on board with his pick. The last time they got off the board, it was a matter of need. They needed a centre, and found one in Dubois. While this need is still prevalent today, there are two centers of quality who will be available when they are around the clock no matter what comes before them. It seems clear that Connor Bedard and Adam Fantelli will do just that be off the board Prior to the Blue Jackets’ selections, however, this is never an issue. The team would have loved to add one of them to their ranks, of course, but there are a few other options that would certainly be serviceable as well.
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While the best player available when the Blue Jackets make it to the podium will likely be Matvei Michkov, the fact that he’s a winger won’t be eligible to play in the NHL for at least a few seasons. because of his contract in the Kontinental Hockey League would certainly make it a less attractive option. As a result, the third-place debate is likely to be between Swedish star Leo Carlsson and the player who burst onto the scene with the US National Team Development Program this season, Will Smith. While it seems clear that they will pick one of the two, there will certainly be a fierce debate as to which would be the best bet before the draft.
Clear selections
The Blue Jackets organization has always been looking for a true first line center. They’ve tried to find one in the draft several times over the years, with names like Ryan Johansen and the aforementioned Dubois immediately coming to mind. Carlson is ready to get into the NHL and make an impact right away. He has been consistently considered one of the top favourites in this draft and has progressed steadily through the ranks of Swedish hockey.
Smith, on the other hand, is more of a wild card. He quickly rose through the ranks during the 2022-23 season and is committed to playing at Boston College in 2023-24. His points totals in the USNTDP are much higher than those of Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, and others. If you factor in single-season points totals, he’s second only to fellow 2023 draft-eligible prospect Gabe Perreault. He’s a legitimate talent who could turn into a top-level center at the NHL level, however, he’ll likely take a little longer to get into the league due to his commitments at the NCAA level.
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The Blue Jackets face a tough decision, however, and there seem to be some obvious choices for their third overall selection. Either way, they will get a great player who can be a cornerstone of the team for years to come. If they get lucky and achieve the best-case scenario, they will finally get the top line position they’ve waited for decades. Historically, Jarmo Kekalainen has been a man who makes headlines in the draft by making people leave with more questions than answers. Yegor Chinakov’s pick will never be forgotten for how much he shocked the draft floor and across every broadcast. This time though I wouldn’t bet on it. Management has an easy and clear path to meeting organizational needs, which they cannot afford to miss.