Big things are about to go down across the NHL.
The 2025 NHL Draft is set to get started this weekend, an opportunity for many teams to pick up future building blocks and cornerstones.
The Columbus Blue Jackets certainly could have a lot to say about the draft, both for their club and what potential moves could mean for many other teams. For a team in the Jackets that defied expectations in 2024-25 and aims for larger things next season, this draft is the start of a busy off-season for president and general manager Don Waddell.
With the Blue Jackets currently holding the 14th and 20th overall picks in the draft, here's everything you need to know heading into the NHL draft which gets started on Friday.
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When: Round 1 starts on Friday, June 27 at 7 p.m. ET, and Rounds 2-7 start on Saturday, June 28 at noon ET
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Where: Peacock Theater, Los Angeles, California
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How to Watch: Round 1 will be on ESPN, ESPN+, and Sportsnet, and Rounds 2-7 will be on ESPN+, Sportsnet, and NHL Network
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How it works: Each team with a first-round pick will have three minutes to make their selection. The Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus, Montreal Canadiens, and Calgary Flames all have multiple first-round selections. The New York Islanders will make the first overall pick after winning May's Draft Lottery, which saw the Blue Jackets fall from the 13th spot to the 14th overall pick. Now, we'll see if Waddell drafts at Nos. 14 and No. 20 or if one or both of those picks are traded to address other needs for the roster as the team looks to crack playoff contention in 2025-26.
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Blue Jackets selections:
1st round: 14th overall & 20th overall
3rd round: 77th overall
4th round: 109th overall
6th round: 173rd overall
7th round: 205th & 218th overall -
The 20th pick was acquired from the Minnesota Wild in the trade that sent David Jiricek and a 2025 5th-round pick to the Wild for Daemon Hunt, a 2025 1st-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick, a 2026 4th-round pick, and 2027 2nd-round pick.
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The 218th pick in the seventh round was acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in the trade that sent Jonathan Quick to Vegas for Michael Hutchinson and a 2025 7th-round pick.
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The only other time Columbus picked 14th in the draft was in 2013 when they selected Alexander Wennberg. Nathan MacKinnon went first overall to the Colorado Avalanche.
- A look back at the 2024 Blue Jackets draft.
This year's draft for the Blue Jackets marks the first since 2020 the club does not hold a top-10 pick in the first round.
Now as we wait and see whether Waddell keeps one or both first-round draft picks, this draft could go a long way in determining the direction of the team ahead of next season as this weekend shapes the off-season.
