Columbus Blue Jackets land a franchise-changing prospect in NHL Mock Draft 1.0

The Columbus Blue Jackets may still be struggling, but this NHL Mock Draft has them landing yet another potential franchise-changing player.

Jan 25, 2024; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (11) celebrates his goal with teammates against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports / Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

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86th overall: Ryerson Leenders, G/Mississauga Steelheads

Right now, the Blue Jackets must maximize organizational depth. One way to do that is to not only roll with the best players available in each round, but to hopefully land the best available at positions of need.

If there is any one position the Blue Jackets prospects pipeline can use, it’s at goaltender, with only Sergei Ivanov listed in its top 15 per The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler, and he clocks in at No. 12. Therefore, I was excited to see the top player at 86th overall potentially remedy that problem with Ryerson Leenders.

While he can still use a lot of development, Leenders’ improvement from 2022-23 to 2023-24 also shows how quickly one can level up.

101st overall: Jack Berglund, C/Färjestad BK

Jack Berglund fell to me with the 101st pick, and thanks to the size he brings, plus putting up some remarkable numbers for his first full year in J20, it should foreshadow a successful 2024-25 campaign.

If he falls to Columbus, Berglund, like the previous two picks in this slideshow, is someone who can take his time developing with another pair of seasons in Sweden before making the jump to the AHL. With 34 points in 41 regular season games this year and a season of experience, Berglund’s breakout campaign with Farjestad awaits.

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