The 2025 Draft was very fruitful for the Blue Jackets. Their top two picks land on this page.
3. (NR) G Pyotr Andreyanov 6''2", 207 pounds. 1st round (#20 overall), 2025 NHL Draft. NHL projection: high-end starting goaltender. Stats: .942% save percentage, 1.75GAA in 37gp for Moscow (MHL, Russian Jr.). Will return to the famed CSKA Moscow system this fall. How we ranked him: Curtis (3), Matt (3), Mike (2).
Why we ranked him here: Pyotr is going to be a star. He has the size and positioning to fill up a lot of the net; and the athleticism to take away prime scoring chances when he doesn't have everything covered. The scouting staff for the Blue Jackets fell in love with his compete level and personality, saying that he was a player they highly coveted at this year's draft. It's easy to see why.
He has all of the tools to become the next great goaltender out of Russia, and by all accounts he wants to play in the NHL. The only snag up here is that 4-5 year contract he just signed with CSKA. But, the reality of the situation is, he's probably going to need that kind of time to become NHL ready anyway. So, it's free development. If he's ready sooner, maybe the Jackets can buy his way over sooner. Fingers crossed.
2. (NR) D Jackson Smith 6'4", 198 pounds. 1st round (#14 overall), 2025 NHL Draft. NHL projection: top four two-way defenseman. Stats: 11g, 43a, 54pts in 68 games for Tri City (WHL). Headed to Penn State University next season. How we ranked him: Curtis (2), Matt (2), Mike (1).
Why we ranked him here: Jackson is the best defense prospect to enter this system since David Jiricek (6th overall) and Denton Mateychuk (12th) were taken at the 2022 Draft. Interestingly, he's a bit of a blend of the two. Smith is comparable to Mateychuk in that he's a terrific skater who can spin off of checks and leave his forechecker in the dust with just one or two strides. Similarly, he brings an attacking mindset on both sides of the puck, and I can see him taking a development path not unlike Denton's - with an eye towards the NHL sometime in 2027.
What makes him arguably more intriguing though, is his size. In that regard, one could compare him to Jiricek. Jackson already has a frame that would allow him to play in the NHL from a physical perspective. I figured he would have been off the board within the first 8-10 picks of the draft, so I was very excited to see him fall into the laps of the Blue Jackets with pick #14. I think he's going to be a very good top-four defenseman in the NHL. Maybe even a top pairing guy in his prime.
The number one prospect is...