Columbus Blue Jackets top prospects, summer of 2024: players #10-1
By Curtis Deem
5. (NR) D Charlie Elick 6'4", 205 pounds. 2nd round (#36 overall), 2024 NHL Draft. Projection: top-four shutdown defenseman. Stats: 4g-23a-27pts, 65gp for Brandon (WHL). Will return to the Wheat Kings next season. How we ranked him: Curtis (5), Matt (6), Mike (4)
Why we ranked him here: Charlie Elick has a really rare mix of attributes, that makes him an intriguing future shutdown defenseman. At 6'4" and over 200 pounds, he can certainly drop the hammer with a big hit. He's hard to beat along the boards, while also being very hard to beat off the rush because of his high end skating and long reach.
He hasn't shown a big penchant for producing offense yet, but he put up respectable numbers in the WHL this season. The advanced stats guys didn't like this pick for the Blue Jackets, but I loved it. Elick will probably not generate big numbers, but he fills the biggest gaping need in this organization. He's a true shutdown defense prospect. I think he'll show up in the NHL in 2-3 years and step seamlessly into that role.
4. (2) RW Jordan Dumais 5’9″, 175 pounds. 3rd round (#96 overall), 2022 NHL Draft. Projection: top-six scoring winger. Stats: 16g-21a-47pts, 21gp for Halifax (QMJHL). Will head to the Cleveland Monsters next season. How we ranked him: Curtis (4) Matt (4) Mike (5)
Why we ranked him here: Dumais drops on this list for a couple of reasons. First, he spent a lot of this season on the IR - and also missed time due to legal troubles. Secondly, the play of another prospect, combined with another high draft pick entering the system; has him falling two spots on our list.
Dumais is a cerebral attacker, able to spot weak links in the opposition's defense long before they even appear. He sits in the weeds, then suddenly finds himself with the puck in a prime scoring area. Once he has it on his stick, he's an elite level passer and also has a knack for scoring goals in a variety of ways.
He was probably too good for junior hockey last season, but a mostly lost year of development will sting. I'm interested to see how he makes the adjustment to the pro level next season.