Even though it's summer, there is hockey in Central Ohio. The Columbus Blue Jackets host development camp this week, giving us a chance to see most of their prospects (and a few free agent invitees) in action. There are some big standouts at camp this year.
There are 31 players attending camp this summer, which takes place today through Saturday at the Ice Haus practice facility. With the way this team has drafted defensemen over the last two years, it's pretty heavy at that position; with 11 defensemen taking part. There will also be 15 forwards and 5 goaltenders hitting the ice.
Headlining the entire thing is 2024 first round pick (4th overall) Cayden Lindstrom. The big center missed almost all of last season recovering from a back injury. But, he was able to finish things out with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL playoffs and during their Memorial Cup run. He's committed to Michigan State University this fall, but I'm really interested to see how he looks in this camp.
Joining Lindstrom are the entire 2024 and 2025 draft classes; including both of this year's first round picks: Jackson Smith (14th overall) and Pyotr Andreyanov (20th). I'm very excited to see both of them, as well.
Smith is also committed to the NCAA next season, heading to the Penn State Nittany Lions. This is a pretty common theme amongst Don Waddell's draft picks since taking over as GM of the Blue Jackets. Of the 12 players he's picked at the draft over the last two years, exactly half of them will play in the NCAA next season.
Andreyanov's attendance could be considered a bit of a surprise, considering the fact that he's under contract in Russia for four seasons beyond this one. I'm happy he's coming over, because there seems to be a shroud of mystery surrounding him and his future. I have a hunch that he's going to be a big development camp standout, and silence a lot of the critics who were so vocal when he was picked in the first round.
There are some Jarmo Kekalainen draft picks attending, as well. Most notably: forwards Luca Pinelli, William Whitelaw, and newly signed Oiva Keskinen. All three of these guys could be on the main roster in the next few seasons. We'll also get to see goaltender Melvin Strahl, who will join Lindstrom at Michigan State this fall.
Aside from the drafted players, there are some intriguing free agent invitees this year. Tom Richter - son of Stanley Cup winning goaltender Mike - is notable if for no other reason than his bloodline. The most recognizable name to CBJ fans, however, might be Pano Fimis. He comes to Dev Camp for the second straight year.
Last year, Fimis earned an invite to the team's main training camp, and I thought he was a big standout. It was a little bit surprising that the team didn't sign him to a contract at that time. Could he use a strong summer to springboard himself into an ELC with the Blue Jackets? This is one storyline to watch this week.
There are several players attending who have legitimate NHL upside, and this will be the first chance management will get to view many of them up close, competing with and against their peers. This should be an exciting camp for the club.