Columbus Blue Jackets Draft Recap

The 2025 NHL Draft is over, just like that. There were a bunch of pick swaps and a few player trades, but nothing of substance for the CBJ.

Don Waddell is very happy with his selections in this draft, stating that “We drafted right, identically, as our list was laid out," Waddell said. “The first three guys were all in the top 14 on our list.”

That makes for a very successful draft if he's being honest.

Let's recap the 2025 Draft for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

2025 Columbus Blue Jackets Draft Class

Overall Grade - B-

Jackson Smith - LHD - Tri-City Americans (WHL) - After two seasons with Tri-City, Smith has committed to playing at Penn State University.

THN Scouting Report - "Smith is an offensive defenseman who could be considered the second-best defenseman in the 2025 NHL Draft. When he has the puck on his stick, it allows his forwards to find open ice. They can rely on him to carry the puck into the neutral zone before snapping a pass to spring his teammates. All the plays with Tri-City tend to go through him when he is on the ice, he gets the most puck touches due to his high hockey IQ and awareness. His ability to read the game and anticipate pressure is one of the main reasons coaches trust him in all situations, even late in close games.

On the defensive side of the puck, Smith does very well. He gets into lanes, he is smart positionally and doesn't give up on puck battles. Thanks to his speed, he can still get involved with any play, whether it's on the rush or the backcheck, he can skate his way back into any play. Overall, Smith is going to be a very good offensive defenseman that will have a large impact on whichever NHL team decides to draft his name."

Pyotr Andreyanov - G - Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL) - Andreyanov has apparently signed a multi-year contract that will keep him in Russia for the next 4-5 years.

Elite Prospects Scouting Report - "Pyotr Andreyanov is one of the most impressive skaters and athletes at the position. He has strong footwork and explodes well to the top of the crease to take away time and space from shooters, while also not giving up too much where an easy pass will beat him. His play reading and tracking combined well with those mobility skills, as Andreyanov is often beating the play to its spot and makes difficult situations look easy."

Malte Vass - LHD - Färjestad BK J20 (J20 Nationell) - Vass will attend Boston University after leaving Sweden.

Elite Prospects Scouting Report - "Malte Vass is a defensive defenceman who kills plays through his physicality and motor. He suffocates opponents by taking away their time and space. He is an aggressive play-killer who can leverage his strength and skating to stop rushes early or engage attackers along the wall to separate them from the puck."

Owen Griffin - C - Oshawa Generals (OHL) - Griffin still has to play another two years in the OHL before becoming AHL eligible.

Chris Pronmon of The Athletic - "Griffin’s game got better as the year went along, ending his season with a huge OHL playoffs performance. Griffin is an excellent skater who can play at an NHL pace. He has solid puck skills and vision and creates offense on the move. Despite his huge playoff performance, I have mild questions on how dynamic he is, especially for a 5-10 forward. I think he will have success as a pro, but I don’t see a clear NHL role for him."

Victor Hedin Raftheim - LHD - Brynäs IF J20 (J20 Nationell) - Hedin Raftheim is only 17 and is presumed to stay in Sweden for the foreseeable future.

Elite Prospects Scouting Report - "Hedin Raftheim profiles as an all-around defender. His stride isn’t the most fluid just yet, but he makes up for it with natural athleticism. It’s not just the skating that makes him intriguing, though, but especially his active style of play. He jumps from the point down the weak side regularly to fish for opportunities, but also activates off the rush, providing support as a trailer or sometimes spearheading the attack himself."

Jérémy Loranger - C - Sherwood Park Crusaders (BCHL) - Loranger will attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha for the 25-26 season.

Elite Prospects Scouting Report - "Loranger is constantly dangerous with possession — curl-and-stop attacks, backhand saucers, cross-body looks, and slick hands around the net. His off-puck orbit pulls attention, creating space for linemates. While not a true power shooter, he elevates his finishing profile through shot location and creativity."

Don Waddell sounds like he didn't want to make the two two first rounds picks he made, so why couldn't he trade them? More on that later.

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