Columbus Blue Jackets Should Give Up This Year’s Second Round Pick
Due to the hiring of John Tortorella, the Columbus Blue Jackets owe the Vancouver Canucks a second round pick. The pick has to be from either this year or next year’s draft since Columbus retained the pick last year.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have until June 1st to make their decision. A few factors will play a role in what is decided, but giving it to Vancouver this year would be a better idea.
Many speculate that the 2017 draft class is weak, making the Jackets second round pick presumably less valuable. However, there will always be disagreement about a group of prospects who haven’t even made it to the NHL yet.
Not buying how weak some are making the upcoming #NHL draft to be...might lack superstar talent up top but there are plenty of good players
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) February 28, 2017
This year’s picks for the Columbus Blue Jackets are already locked in because of the early playoff exit. Their second round pick is No. 55 overall, which is one of the last picks in the round.
Considering they have to let a second rounder go, that wouldn’t be a bad pick to give up. If the Blue Jackets continue to play well, like many think they will, next year their pick would also be in the No. 55 overall range. They might as well let go of the pick with the so-called “weak” draft class.
Potential second round picks are tricky to evaluate. The round has been an interesting mix of all-stars and guys who never ended up playing in the NHL. Current Blue Jackets who fell to the second round include Brandon Dubinsky, Boone Jenner and Brandon Saad.
The current state of the Columbus Blue Jackets organization makes losing this year’s pick manageable. They still have all of their other 2017 draft picks to work with.
Losing a high-round draft selection is never ideal, but thinking about where the organization is headed, and how well the young players have played, should be reason enough to let go of this year’s pick.