AnalysisDon Waddell is the general manager of the Blue Jackets. Jason Mowry / Getty ImagesJune 26, 2026 6:00 am EDT Updated The Columbus Blue Jackets have six picks in the 2026 NHL Draft: Nos. 14. 94, 101, 142, 182, 206. Here’s what to expect.View from the beatThe Blue Jackets can’t get picky at No. 14. They’ll take the top player on their board no matter the position. (OK, not a goalie.) But the space in their prospect pool is at forward, especially with 2024 No. 4 pick Cayden Lindstrom needing a longer ramp at the start of his career. Further, when you see how the Blue Jackets are set up to have diminutive wingers Kent Johnson and Conor Garland in their top six, size is a desired attribute, too. Names to know: Ethan Belchetz and Oscar Hemming. — Aaron PortzlinePronman’s team needsColumbus boasts one of the better young centers in the game in Adam Fantilli, and overall, there’s no true weakness in this system. The Blue Jackets drafted big defenseman Jackson Smith and goalie Pyotr Andreyanov in 2025’s first round, which helps, but if I had to nitpick, it would be for Columbus to continue to add at the defense position.
Names to watchIn recent mock drafts, Corey Pronman has projected the following picks:14. Oscar Hemming, LW94. Matvei Kotkov, RW101. Beckham Edwards, C142. Evan Jardine, LW182. Yegor Rybkin, G206. Julian Brown, DJun 26, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
