Columbus Blue Jackets Top Prospects: Chrismas Edition

There are some pretty good prospects in this range - lots of guys with NHL potential:

16. (19) D Guillaume Richard 6’2″, 175 pounds. 4th round (#101 overall), 2021 NHL Draft. Projection: bottom-three two-way defenseman. Stats: 1g-7a-8pts, 16gp for Providence College (NCAA). Why we ranked him here: Richard is a solid all-around player, who could be a good depth defenseman and penalty killer in the NHL.

15. (18) D Andrew Strathmann 5’11”, 190 pounds. 4th round (#98 overall), 2023 NHL Draft. Projection: bottom-four puck moving defenseman. Stats: 5g-13a-17pts, 18gp for Youngstown (USHL). *University of North Dakota commit. Why we ranked him here: Though somewhat undersized, Strathmann is a sturdy two-way defenseman, who is currently captaining his team and leading the way at both ends of the ice.

14. (15) D Samuel Knazko 6’1″, 190 pounds. 3rd round (#78 overall), 2020 NHL Draft. Projection: bottom-four puck moving defenseman. Stats: 0g-2a-2pts, 11gp for Cleveland (AHL). Why we ranked him here: Knazko is a polarizing prospect, one whose skill and experience should have him ranked higher. He shows a lot of skill, but hasn't yet separated himself from the younger players in the system, so it's hard to gauge his NHL potential. He needs to stand out, and soon.

13. (HM) G Jet Greaves 6’0″, 179 pounds. Undrafted, signed as a free agent summer 2021. Projection: backup goaltender. Stats: 12-3-0, 2.80GAA, .913% save percentage, 15gp for Cleveland (AHL). Why we ranked him here: Jet has struggled a little bit at lower levels, but this year he's been better behind a stronger team. When called upon in the NHL, he's been eye opening. I still don't think he'll be an every day starter, but he does look like he has NHL potential.

12. (13) C Hunter McKown 6’1″, 205 pounds. Undrafted, signed as a free agent spring 2023. Projection: middle six two-way center. Stats: 3g-7a-10pts, 22gp for Cleveland (AHL). Why we ranked him here: McKown was thrust right into the NHL last season, and definitely struggled with the big club. But he's adjusting nicely with the Monsters, and once he finds his game, I do think he'll be a bottom-six NHL center.

11. (16) LW Mikael Pyyhtia 6’0″, 160 pounds. 4th round (#114 overall), 2020 NHL Draft. Projection: middle six scoring winger. Stats: 3g-11a-14pts, 25gp for Cleveland (AHL). Why we ranked him here: Pyyhtia has a terrific shot and has shown a penchant for playing alongside talented players. Part of this is due to his overall two-way game, which continues to improve.