Earlier this week, the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery was held, and the Columbus Blue Jackets are getting the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft. The San Jose Sharks were drawn for the first pick, and the Chicago Blackhawks received the second pick. The other 14 teams were ordered inversely from where their 2023-24 season rank, giving the Anaheim Ducks third pick, and Columbus the fourth.
One thing that will greatly affect the outcome of the 2024 NHL draft for the Blue Jackets is who they will get as their new General Manager. Their former GM, Jarmo Kekalainen, had been in his position for 11 years. After a decade of management, it was easier to analyze Kekalainen’s choices as there were previous years to gather information. Without knowing who the next GM will be, it’s harder to predict what direction they will want to go. By looking at what positions are lacking, a possible prediction can be made. Last year the Blue Jackets drafted two forwards with their first two picks, Adam Fantilli and Gavin Brindley.
The Blue Jackets have rights to 39 forwards from various junior and minor leagues up to the NHL level. They also have 22 defensemen and seven goalies in the system. At the beginning of this last season, the biggest debate on who would make the NHL was around the Blue Jackets defenders. Players like David Jiricek, Marcus Bjork, and Nick Blankenburg were all discussed as possible full-time NHL players. With other young players like Denton Mateychuk, Samuel Knazko, and Stanislav Svozil developing, there may be even less chance to see the NHL ice as a defenseman. As for the goalies, Daniil Tarasov is developing into a full-time NHL goalie and Jet Greaves has also shown he can make the call-up. There’s also Sergei Ivanov developing in Russia, Noland Lalonde, and Melvin Strahl all as goalie prospects.
So what kind of player do the Columbus Blue Jackets need? With the fourth-youngest roster in the NHL, there may not be many players looking to retire from Columbus soon. Trades and moves are inevitable and it’s hard to tell what direction the new GM will go. It’s unlikely a goalie prospect will be picked in the first round though so here are three skaters that could be the fourth overall pick.
Forward – Cayden Lindstrom
Lindstrom has been ranked anywhere from third to ninth by different outlets. A native of British Columbia, Canada, he is 6’4″ and weighs 216lbs. This last year, he played for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL, where he scored 27 goals and had 19 assists for a total of 46 points in 32 games. His penalty minutes are a little high, but his shooting accuracy and power might make up for that. With having a left-handed shot, he could pair well on a line with last year’s draft picks Fantilli and Brindley.
Forward – Cole Eiserman
Eiserman has been ranked from second to 12th in different ranking systems. A native of Maine he is 6’0″ tall and weighs 196lbs. This past year he played for the U.S. National U18 Team and scored 58 goals and 31 assists for a total of 89 points in 57 games. Eiserman is a scoring powerhouse with the ability to deke through the defense and has been praised for his accuracy. Eisersman is also a left-handed shot and could be paired with the playmaking abilities of Fantill and Brindley.
Defenseman – Zeev Buium
Some rank Buium as the second top defenseman in this draft after Artyom Levshunov. One could argue for Anton Silayev, but if the Blue Jackets are looking for a D-man who can score and make plays, then Zeev Buium is the man. He’s a California native, played for the University of Denver last year, is 6’0″ tall, and weighs 183lbs. In 42 games he scored 11 goals and had 39 assists for a total of 50 points. He’s received praise for his puck handling and hockey IQ. He has a left-handed shot and could pair well with Adam Boqvist or David Jiricek.
The 2024 NHL Entry Draft will be held on June 28th and 29th in Las Vegas at the Sphere.
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