Columbus Blue Jackets top prospects, summer of 2024: players #10-1
By Curtis Deem
7. (NR) G Evan Gardner 6'1", 175 pounds. 2nd round (#60 overall), 2024 NHL Draft. Projection: starting goaltender. Stats: .927% save percentage, 1.91GAA, 21-5-0 record in 30gp for Saskatoon (WHL). Will return to the Blades next season. How we ranked him: Curtis (7) Matt (5) Mike (8)
Why we ranked him here: I had my fingers crossed that the Jackets would look to build up their goaltending pipeline at this year's draft. They did so by drafting my most preferred goaltender in the entire draft. Evan Gardner was underrated, in my opinion.
He's not a huge body, but he's got good enough pro size and he just keeps stopping pucks. All he did this season was go from relative unknown; to stealing the starting job for one of the top teams in the Western Hockey League. He helped the Blades to the best record in the WHL, then maintained solid numbers in their long playoff run - eventually ended by Denton Mateychuk and the Moose Jaw Warriors.
6. (4) D Stanislav Svozil 6’0″, 180 pounds. 3rd round (#69 overall), 2021 NHL Draft. Projection: second pairing two-way defenseman. Stats: 5g-18a-23pts, 57gp for Cleveland (AHL). Will return to the Monsters next season. How we ranked him: Curtis (6) Matt (7) Mike (5)
Why we ranked him here: Svozil also had a strong transition year after turning pro, playing big minutes for the Monsters and not looking out of place. He's an active defenseman; who likes to jump into the rush, throw big hits, and make plays with his hands.
Stanislav also has a history and chemistry with David Jiricek; and I could see the two forming a solid defense pair for the Blue Jackets in a few years' time. Svozil still has some edges to round out in his game, but all of the tools are there for him to become a very good second pairing defenseman. Even at his low end, I think he's still a third pairing guy in the NHL.