In the end, the Blue Jackets could not find a trade partner to improve their lineup. Instead, they wound up using their #14 overall pick themselves, selecting LW Oscar Hemming.
Hemming is a player we speculated on as being a potential pick here, and the Jackets make it so. The big, physical winger will step into the CBJ system and immediately become one of the top prospects on the wing.
This past season, he scored 1 goal and 8 points in 19 games for Boston college. At 6'4" and nearly 200 pounds, he fits perfectly into the mold that Don Waddell is hoping to shape the Blue Jackets into.
He has an excellent shot, with the power and quick release that should translate well into the NHL. The team will benefit from him being able to take the NCAA route to round out the rest of his game.
This is pretty good value within this range, and clearly the Jackets were pretty high on Hemming as they passed over several forwards who were rated higher within the media-including Ethan Belchetz from the OHL.
Despite missing a good chunk of the season due to a contract dispute that was out of his control, Hemming stepped in and made an impact at the NCAA level right away. The Blue Jackets clearly saw enough here to make them want the big scoring winger.
This is the second summer in a row that the Blue Jackets have held this pick. Last year, they took defenseman Jackson Smith, who has since emerged as one of the top defense prospects in hockey. Hopefully, they can get the same kind of success from this pick.
Hemming will head back to Boston College this fall. We are excited to see how he develops, and expet him to be a big part of the future. Welcome to Columbus, Oscar!
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