While the Blue Jackets ponder a potential future without their reigning Norris Trophy defenseman, they may not have to plan too hard. Their top prospect has a lot of similar traits, and by season's end, may be ready to go. Jackson Smith looks like a future star on the blue line.
The top prospects 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. Stats are from the previous season, in the league where each player spent the most time. Projections are based on top-end upside.
Top prospect #1: D Jackson Smith
How we ranked him: Curtis (1), Matthew (1), Mike (1), Weston (1), Struan (1). Jackson was ranked #2 on this list last summer.
The fact of the matter is, the Blue Jackets have probably never been in a better position to lose a star player than they are right now. Sure, it's going to sting if Zach Werenski does decide to move on to greener pastures. But, not for long.
That's because the team has two other very talented young left shot defensemen. One (Denton Mateychuk) is already standing out in the NHL. The other is developing in the NCAA, and he made a seamless adjustment to that level last season.
Of course, I'm talking about Penn State's Jackson Smith. The Blue Jackets drafted him 14th overall at the 2025 NHL Draft, after a standout year in the Western Hockey League where he scored 11 goals and 54 points in 68 games for the Tri City Americans.
Like many other top prospects are doing lately, he took his talents to the NCAA level as soon as he was eligible. And, rather than making a slow transition while playing against older, more experienced competition: he thrived.
Jackson scored 11 goals and 26 points in 35 games, adding 40 penalty minutes and a -2 rating for the Nitany Lions. As a result, he leaps to the top of our list of top prospects for the Blue Jackets. He's one of the top defense prospects in all of hockey right now, in my opinion.
That's not just because of his offensive numbers. This guy can play. At 6'4" and over 200 pounds, Smith moves around the ice with surprising quickness and agility. Physically, he isn't a punishing defender, but he is smart; using his reach and strength to win puck battles.
Offensively, he's a very good puck mover. Whether it's a strong first pass, or timing his jumps into the rush; he has the kind of creativity that should allow him to quarterback an NHL power-play in the not-so-distant future. Though, he's not fully developed at this point.
Early in his career, there have been flashes of poor decision making, which has led to the odd turnover or missed assignment. However, these are kinks that can be worked out, and that's typically why defensemen take a little longer to develop. They have to learn to make the right play more often, as opposed to the flashy play.
Pros: size, skating, puck moving, underrated two-way game
Cons: still somewhat raw
Projection: top-four, maybe #2 defenseman on a contender
Ultimately, I don't think Jackson is going to be a one-for-one replacement for Zach Werenski. Lets be honest: those guys only come along every so often.
But, I do think he has the potential to be a legitimate top pairing guy in the NHL; one who can play in all situations and stand out on both sides of the puck. If I had to come up with a player comp, I think Thomas Harley of the Dallas Stars is a good one here.
Think big, strong, smart, good skater who can put up 40-50 points every season. He's probably not going to win the Norris, but if he's surrounded by talent, he can definitely be a key part of a championship contending core.
Jackson will return to Penn State this fall to continue rounding out his game, but I don't think he's far from the NHL. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he finished the season with the Blue Jackets, before stepping into a full-time role in 2027.
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