The Untouchables
The players that fall into this tier wind up in two sub-categories for me. Either their potential is simply not worth giving up for the vast majority of NHL players, or their value is far above what other teams would value them as. This might include some players you wouldn't expect, but let's start with the easy one.
Jackson Smith, D
The Blue Jackets' 14th overall pick in the latest draft, Jackson Smith is a textbook untouchable. He already looked like a solid pick at the time, and has blossomed while playing with Penn State in the NCAA.
Smith already looks like a pro out there and turns just 19 in May. If he continues at this rate, we may just be looking at another superstar defenseman in the works. His two-way game is already incredibly reliable, and his ceiling is sky-high. You won't hear his name pop up in trade talks anytime soon.
Sergei Ivanov, G
Despite some question marks about his future in the NHL, Sergei Ivanov remains untouchable for me. The freshly 22-year-old goaltender is a star in Russia, and would almost certainly be the Jackets backup goalie if he came over to America now (at least based on skill).
With conflicting reports about his decision to make the journey to North American hockey or stay in Russia, he does carry a bit of a risk at this point. But I believe that his potential is well worth it, and even any concern about his size has to be reduced to nothing more than slight doubt at this point, as consistent standout statistics in Russia's top pro league tell the whole story.
While not as untouchable as Jackson Smith is, I would still be absolutely shocked if Ivanov's name was thrown out there by Don Waddell this summer.
Guillaume Richard, D
Now this one may surprise some people. While Guillaume Richard doesn't have the pedigree of the other two names I have listed here, I don't think the Jackets can trade him away as it stands today.
After quietly producing with Providence College for four years, Richard has made the jump to the AHL look easy. He has already earned the trust of the coaching staff as a mainstay on the top pairing over guys like Corson Ceulemans, Luca Marrelli, and Stanislav Svozil, and has become an anchor on the blueline for the Monsters.
The main reason Richard is in this category is because his value far exceeds what many others may see him as. While he is about as un-flashy as a player can get, he has virtually no weakness to his game and can do everything well.
From playmaking in the offensive zone to shutting down the rush at the other end, his physicality, smooth skating, and his natural hockey IQ make him a clear candidate to make the Blue Jackets roster sooner than later.
I just don't think that Columbus can trade this guy away when he has quietly become arguably one of the most reliable defensemen in the AHL. Definitely not as a likely toss-in as part of a bigger deal, which is what most teams likely see him as.
Oiva Keskinen, F/C
I'm rounding out this tier with probably my favorite prospect in the Blue Jackets system. Oiva Keskinen was a seventh-round pick back in 2023, and he has rewarded the team well. After being drafted out of Finland's junior league as an overaged prospect, Keskinen has played the last three seasons in the country's top professional league.
The 22-year old posted 20 goals and 37 points in 49 games this season, and is currently his team's first-line center as he looks to lead the team to their fourth championship in five years after finishing as the best team in the regular season.
Keskinen is an incredibly smart two-way forward with great vision combined with a scoring touch. He can fill a variety of roles on offense, as he has produced just as much from the blue paint as he has near the point.
This is another player that is close to being NHL-ready and brings much more value in the Jackets system than he would in a trade. While size and raw athleticism likely keep him from a first-line spot in the NHL, there's a good chance Keskinen becomes a great middle-six forward who can play on the center or the wing.
These are the four prospects in the Jackets' system that I believe cannot be traded no matter the circumstance. Whether their value is too high to give up, or is much higher than it seems to be, I wouldn't expect to see these names on a trade graphic this summer.
Next we look at another group of players who could be key trade pieces if the opportunity arises.
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