Now that the 2026 NHL Draft has been completed, it's time to run through the top prospects for the Columbus Blue Jackets. We went through the process of ranking every eligible player in the organization, and today we'll get things started with the players who just missed the cut.
This year at the draft, the team added seven new prospects to the system, beginning with Oscar Hemming at #14 overall. That created a trend that carried through most of the class: size and skating were in high consideration this year.
That has been a trend under Don Waddell's tutelage, and as a result, the entire organization is starting to look pretty formidable. This year, we ranked 39 players-far and away the most I have seen in my time at Union & Blue. Of course, many of these players have different upsides. We tried to take everything into account, but we did have some differing opinions. Lets dive in.
Top prospect list notes:
This list was compiled by a collective ranking from all of the writers at Union and Blue: Matthew Duffey, Mike Stump, Weston Motz, Struan McNevan, and Curtis Deem. We only include players 24 years and under, with fewer than 25 NHL games. Previous rankings are the number in parenthesis (HM = honorable mention; NR = not ranked). Stats are from the previous season, in the league where each player spent the most time. Projections are based on top-end upside. Note at the end is where each player will spend their 2026-27 season.
Honorable mentions (in no particular order):
(Last year: NR) LW Filip Novak 6'1", 198 pounds. Drafted 7h round (#206 overall), 2026 NHL Draft. Projection: physical bottom-six winger. Stats: 11g, 24a, 35pts in 28gp for Sparta Prague (Czechia U20). Will play for Sparta again next season.
(NR) F Anttoni Uronen 6'1", 201 pounds. Drafted 6th round (#182 overall), 2026 NHL Draft. Projection: physical bottom-six forward. Stats: 2g, 8a, 10pts in 27gp for HIFK (Finland). Will return to HIFK next season.
(NR) G Parker Snell 6'2", 176 pounds. Drafted 5th round (#142 overall), 2026 NHL Draft. Projection: backup goaltender. Stats: 21-9-1 record, .895% save percentage, 2.74 goals against average, 3 shutouts in 33gp for Edmonton (WHL). Will return to Edmonton next season.
(NR) RW Luke Tuch 6'2", 203 pounds. Acquired via trade from Montreal on 6/25/2026 (originally drafted 2nd round, #47 overall by Montreal at the 2020 NHL Draft). Projection: physical depth winger. Stats: 9g, 5a, 14pts in 68gp for Laval (AHL). Currently an RFA, if signed he will play for Cleveland next season.
(HM) D Andrew Strathmann 5'11", 190 pounds. Drafted 4th round (#98 overall), 2023 NHL Draft. Projection: bottom pairing puck-moving defenseman. Stats: 1g, 5a, 6pts in 38gp for North Dakota (NCAA). Transferring to Quinnipiac University for next season.
(HM) D Victor Hedin Raftheim 6'5", 198 pounds. Drafted 6th round (#173 overall), 2025 NHL Draft. Projection: bottom pairing two-way defenseman. Stats: 0pts in 28gp for Brynas (SHL). Will return to Brynas next season.
(HM) C Max McCue 6'1", 183 pounds. Signed as a UFA on 3/21/2024 (originally drafted 5th round, #156 overall by San Jose, 2021 NHL Draft). Projection: fourth line pest. Stats: 2g, 6a, 8pts in 26gp for Cleveland (AHL). Will return to the Monsters next season.
(HM) D Luke Ashton 6'6", 238 pounds. Drafted 6th round (#165 overall), 2024 NHL draft. Projection: bottom pairing two-way defenseman. Stats: 3g, 8a, 11pts in 34 games for Cornell (NCAA). Will return to Cornell next season.
(HM) G Nolan Lalonde 6'2", 196 pounds. Signed as a UFA on 10/22/2022. Projection: depth goaltender. Stats: 11-4-3 record, .903% save percentage, 2.57 goals against average, 1 shutout in 22gp for Toledo (ECHL). Will play in Cleveland/Toledo next season.
We split this up so it reads easier. This list continues on the next slide!
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