Columbus Blue Jackets top prospects, summer of 2024: primer and honorable mentions
By Curtis Deem
Our last ranking of the top prospects for the Blue Jackets took place at Christmas, so it's time to take a fresh look. We lost one player from the honorable mentions (Tyler Angle departed as an unqualified RFA), but otherwise every prospect from that last ranking is still within the organization.
The club also added some really intriguing prospects at the draft last month, with several of those players landing inside the top-20 on our new list. We had some movement within the system, with some players having strong seasons - and others falling off. This means our list overall looks pretty different than it did at Christmas.
Top prospect list notes:
This list was compiled by a collective ranking from all of the writers at Union and Blue. We only include players 24 years and under, with fewer than 25 NHL games. Previous rankings are the number in parenthesis (HM = honorable mention; NR = not ranked). Stats are from the previous season, in the league where each player spent the most time. Projections are based on top-end upside. Note at the end is where each player will spend their 2024-25 season.
Honorable mentions (in no particular order):
(HM) RW James Fisher 6’2″, 185 pounds. 7th round (#203 overall), 2022 NHL Draft. Projection: physical bottom-six winger. Stats: 20g-16a-36pts, 54gp for Penticton (BCHL). Expected to play for Northeastern University (NCAA) next season.
(HM) LW Martin Rysavy 6’3″, 210 pounds. 7th round (#197 overall), 2021 NHL Draft. Projection: physical bottom-six winger. Stats: 25g-19a-44pts, 63gp for Moose Jaw (WHL). Returned to Czechia, will play for Bílí Tygři Liberec next season.
(HM) D Aidan Hreschuk 5’11”, 180 pounds. Acquired from Carolina for Max Domi – originally selected 3rd round (#94 overall), 2021 NHL Draft. Projection: bottom pairing two-way defenseman. Stats: 2g-13a-15pts, 41gp for Boston College (NCAA). Will return to BC next season.
The next page includes a couple of players drafted by the Blue Jackets just last month...