2017 NHL Draft was somewhat overshadowed by an expansion draft, held less than a week prior. With the l..."/> 2017 NHL Draft was somewhat overshadowed by an expansion draft, held less than a week prior. With the l..."/> 2017 NHL Draft was somewhat overshadowed by an expansion draft, held less than a week prior. With the l..."/>
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Columbus Blue Jackets: 2017 NHL Draft Review, How Did They Do?

By Curtis Deem

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 24: Alexandre Texier poses for a portrait after being selected 45th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 24: Alexandre Texier poses for a portrait after being selected 45th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The Blue Jacket scouting staff had targeted a young French center, who they had rated higher in the draft. So, Jarmo took a swing and made a deal to acquire a second round pick and select him.

Second Round (#45 overall): F Alexandre Texier

Jarmo sent 2015 third rounder Keegan Kolesar to the Vegas Golden Knights, to acquire this pick and select French center Alexandre Texier. We can’t mention this trade without bringing up one important fact: Kolesar was just a key fourth line player for the Knights as they hoisted the Stanley Cup.

Still, in hindsight, I like this trade, it’s good value for a prospect who projected low in the lineup. Kolesar was drafted as a potential bottom six player; think of him as a Josh Anderson-lite, without the high end speed and goal scoring. Meanwhile, Texier was touted as a potential middle-six center, which was a big time need for the Jackets at the time.

Jan 20, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Alexandre Texier (42) battles for position with Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim (6) during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Alexandre Texier (42) battles for position with Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim (6) during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Since the draft, Texier has played 123 NHL games, scoring 22 goals and 49 points. Those numbers would be a lot higher if he hadn’t spent the last season plus in Europe, dealing with a personal situation. Meanwhile, Kolesar has played 196 games for the Knights, scoring 18 goals and 55 points in that time. This was a decent move up for the Jackets, especially if Texier comes back strong this year.

Second round grade: B. Some of the players taken soon after #45 include Alex Formeton (#47, Ottawa, thank goodness we passed), Mario Ferraro (#49, San Jose), and Max Comtois (#50, Anaheim). No issues with this pick really. If Tex comes back in a middle six role this season, he’ll be a solid piece here.

Third Round (#86 overall): G Daniil Tarasov

Dec 19, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Daniil Tarasov (40) makes a save in the second period against the Dallas Stars at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gaelen Morse-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Daniil Tarasov (40) makes a save in the second period against the Dallas Stars at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gaelen Morse-USA TODAY Sports /

The Jackets plucked away a player they thought could be their goaltender of the future in the third round – and, there’s still a chance this could hold true. Finally making a pick of their own for the first time in the Draft, they took Daniil Tarasov, a goaltender who missed the entire season due to a serious knee injury.

Tarasov stayed in Europe for four years after being drafted, before coming to North America at the end of the 2020-21 season. He’s played in 21 NHL games so far, while slowly developing and honing his game mostly at the AHL level. But, if we’re comparing him solely on players drafted after him – he stands way out from the crowd.

Sep 28, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Daniil Tarasov (40) gestures to teammates during a stop in play against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Daniil Tarasov (40) gestures to teammates during a stop in play against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Third round grade: B*. Only one third rounder taken after Tarasov has played more than 2 NHL games, and that’s Cale Fleury (#87, Montreal). We put the asterisk next to the grade here because that may improve – Tarasov could very well be a starting goaltender in the NHL. This year feels like a make or break year for him. Perhaps, however, the grade could also go the other way … Jeremy Swayman was picked the Bruins in the very next round.

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