With the NHL draft next month and the Columbus Blue Jackets now officially owners of the 14th and 20th selections, the mocks are starting to take their collective stabs at who the club may add to the pipeline in June.
And while President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell has been open about his desire to move picks in exchange for an immediate roster player, trading both picks seems far less likely than simply moving one or the other.
So who might the Blue Jackets add in June's NHL draft? Here's an early look at what the pundits are feeling for Columbus' future:
THE ATHLETIC
There are two mock drafts on The Athletic: one that was released immediately after the lottery results were announced and includes only the lottery picks, and a full first-round mock from Scott Wheeler that was released Thursday.
In the first mock, which was orchestrated by Corey Pronman but relied on Aaron Portzline for the pick and the reason behind it, the Blue Jackets go for defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson.
According to Portzline, drafting the 6'1", 200lb 18-year-old defenseman "would certainly brighten their long-term future", adding that Aitcheson would immediately become Columbus' top defensive prospect.
He's not wrong — Aitchenson had 26 goals and 33 assists (59 points) in 64 games this season with the OHL's Barrie Colts as he continues to blossom into a two-way force on the blueline. Defenseman can take a while to develop, but he seems to have all the tools to make it to the next level.
In Wheeler's mock, the Aitchenson goes to the New York Rangers at number 12 and the Blue Jackets go for another defenseman: Jackson Smith.
Smith has plenty of size, already standing 6'3" despite being just 17 years old. There's still plenty to work on with the Calgary native, but there's a high ceiling here and Smith is absolutely a first-round pick this summer.
With the 20th pick, Wheeler forecasts the Blue Jackets go defense again and add University of Wisconsin blueliner Logan Hensler. He says that Hensler's game "doesn't have the identity or shape of the D taken ahead of him", but that Hensler "is going to play in the NHL and should an effective five-on-five contributor."
NHL.COM
Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com have their initial mocks out — but again, only for the teams from the draft lottery. That means neither has projected who Columbus would draft with their second first-rounder.
But with Columbus' first pick at number 14, Morreale agrees with Wheeler that Smith is the pick. "He brings good speed and movement through the neutral zone to lead the rush," writes Morreale.
Kimelman thinks the Blue Jackets go with winger Lynden Lakovic. He says that Lakovic is "an outstanding skater for a player his size (6'4", 190lbs)", and that the 18-year-old "seems like the perfect piece to put around" around Columbus' young depth at center, highlighted by Adam Fantilli.
TANKATHON
The good people over at Tankathon predict that Columbus adds center Brady Martin at number 14. The Soo Greyhounds standout averaged well over a point a game this season, totaling 33 goals and 39 assists (72 points) in just 57 games.
At pick 20, a name that the Blue Jackets faithful should keep a close eye on: Joshua Ravensbergen.
The 6'5", 18-year-old goaltender is the best goalie prospect in the class and it's not close. He's all but a lock to be a first-round draft pick, where he would become the first goalie to go in round one since Sebastian Cossa (15th overall) and Jesper Wallstedt (20th) both went in the first in 2022.
Goalies take a lot of time — typically several seasons — to show up in the NHL after they've been drafted, but the hype around Ravensbergen is real.
Kris Mallette, who coached Ravensbergen in last year's prospects challenge, spoke highly of the young goalies focus — a rarity for someone of that age.
"He doesn’t get too high and he doesn’t get too low," said Mallette. "He’s really confident and calm. I think just he’s confident in his structure so when he needs to be or make a big save his movements are pretty calm."
DAILY FACEOFF
Prospect Analyst Steven Ellis has a full first-round mock, and sees Columbus taking two players who have already been mentioned above.
With the 14th pick, Ellis predicts the Blue Jackets go a little high to grab Hensler — who in Wheeler's mock above was Columbus' selection at number 20.
"There’s a good chance he becomes a second-pairing defenseman who plays a safe defensive game," writes Ellis.
With the 20th pick, it's again Ravensbergen.
"The Blue Jackets have some promising goalie prospects, but Ravensbergen would be better than all of them," he writes.
1ST OHIO BATTERY
What? It looked like fun!
If he's there at 14, Justin Carbonneau is a name to get excited about if it comes out of Waddell's mouth. The power forward had 46 goals and 43 assists (89 points) in 62 games this season with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL. Think Canadian Kirill Marchenko here with his style of play. Most mocks have him going right around this spot, and he would add big-time size and play-making grit to a Blue Jackets team that could use another big body up front.
With the 20th pick, Ravensbergen is every bit worth drafting. Columbus has a good pipeline of players on both sides of the puck, but as the team learned this year, a team can usually only go as far as its goalie. If Ravensberger hits, he's going to be a very good NHL starter for years to come. This is an opportunity to fill a long-term need.
