Blue Jackets 2026 NHL Draft Recap: Hemming Headlines Seven-Player Class

Blue Jackets Grab Hemming

On Friday, the Jackets selected Boston College forward Oscar Hemming with the 14th overall pick. As we wrote in Thursday's draft preview on forwards, Hemming was a consensus name showing up in mock drafts at No. 14 to Columbus.

Per McKeen's Hockey:

Hemming is a heavy shooter who has sneaky good skill on the puck. But it’s his big 6-foot, 4-inch frame paired with his deceivingly good puck skill that makes him such an intriguing talent. He’s got a good motor on him, along with a physical streak. Getting paired with Dean Letourneau, who BC has helped massively in his development, is a formidable duo in college hockey. While the point-total hasn't been the most eye-opening, he has been impressive already, despite being 17 years old and missing half of his season. Which is important to remember, as that long break from hockey made an impact on parts of his game, and him being a part of that BC organization will surely be a great spot for him to work out those kinks in his game.

President and general manager Don Waddell said he considered moving the pick if Hemming was not still available, but they got the guy they were high on.

#CBJ GM Don Waddell said he had a couple of trade offers for No. 14, but told other GMs he wouldn't move the pick if Oscar Hemming remained on the board.

Hemming will be a sophomore at Boston College in the fall, and he'll attend #CBJ development camp next week. https://t.co/7cYrXKkhOB

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) June 27, 2026

Hemming will continue his college career with Boston College next season. Last year,  he had eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 19 games. His NCAA career was delayed due to an ongoing dispute with his Finnish club, Kiekko-Espoo, before he was able to go the North America route.

The Hemming pick on Friday was the only selection for Columbus, but it wasn't the only news related to the team. As the pick was coming in, ESPN and NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes reported Krill Marchenko is "unlikely to extend" with the Blue Jackets, per Marchenko's camp. Marchenko is a restricted free agent after the 2026-27 season, so the Blue Jackets own his rights, but this developing situation might curtail a long-term contract with Marchenko this summer.

The Marchenko news comes on the heels of reports and speculation about Zach Werenski's long-term future with the club. Werenski will be a UFA after the 2027-28 season. While no trade request has been publicly announced, the situation adds emphasis to an already critical offseason for Waddell in trying to build a win-now roster while figuring out the futures for the organization's two biggest stars.

Personal opinion: if I’m Don Waddell, I’m moving 8 and 86 as soon as possible if the return for each is reasonable and fair.

The locker room and the franchise as a whole simply can’t afford that kind of drama to linger for the next 1-2 seasons. #CBJ

— Ed Francis (@BlueJacketStats) June 27, 2026

Day Two

Day two of the draft featured rounds 2 through 7. Columbus came into Saturday with five picks, starting with the third round, selecting Alessandro Di Iorio with the 94th pick. Di Iorio scored 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) with the OHL's Sarnia Sting.

Drafted O-H yesterday and I-O (rio) today

Welcome to Columbus, Alessandro!

CBJ x @GJPepsi pic.twitter.com/4kjUYBWl92

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) June 27, 2026

Columbus swapped fourth-round draft picks and a 2028 fifth-round pick with the Capitals. The Jackets then flipped the 2026 fourth-round pick from the Capitals to the Wild in exchange for the 121st pick in the fourth round and the 185th pick in the sixth round.

With the 121st pick, Columbus took Evan Jardine, who played for the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms and is committed to Ohio State next season.

Putting roots down in Ohio

The incoming freshman for @OhioStateMHKY is heading to the 614 a little earlier than expected!

CBJ x @GJPepsi pic.twitter.com/vtZY2j2oZ2

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) June 27, 2026

Jardine scored 61 points (27 goals, 34 assists) with Youngstown last season.

Asked Evan Jardine how a Michigan native ends up playing junior hockey in Youngstown, commits to Ohio State and then gets drafted by #CBJ.

Jardine: "Yeah, it's a little bit controversial." Visited OSU and thought, "Why would you not want to go there?"

— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) June 27, 2026

#CBJ fourth-round pick Evan Jardine is already at Ohio State. "Actually I drove past (Nationwide Arena) with some of my buddies the other day and I was like, 'Wow, it would be unreal to play here. It's so close. I’m gonna be here for the next few years.' It’s a dream for sure." pic.twitter.com/mnxPrgPC7u

— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) June 27, 2026

Goaltender Parker Snell was taken with the 142nd pick. Snell played with the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings, going 21-9-1 (2.74 goals against average, .895 save percentage) last season.

Anttoni Uronen, a forward, was taken at No. 182 in the sixth round. Uronen wore the 'A' on Finland's U18 team and played for Liiga's HIFK (two goals, eight assists). Defenseman Jonas Woo was taken with the 185th pick. Committed to Arizona State University, he scored 86 points (29 goals, 57 assists) with the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers, whom he wore the 'A' last season.

Filip Novak, taken with the 206th pick in the seventh round, wrapped up the 2026 draft for Columbus. Novak will play for HC Sparta Praha in the Czechia league. He scored 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists) for HC Sparta Praha U20.