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It’s time for Daily Faceoff’s third annual NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown, looking at the best all 32 teams have to offer. We’re highlighting the top 10 prospects for every franchise, their biggest strengths and weaknesses and so much more.

The criteria for being labeled a “prospect” are simple: players generally have to have played in 50 or fewer NHL games or spent more time outside of the NHL than in it last year (Ivan Ivan, for example, spent more time in the NHL than AHL last year, making him ineligilble for this list). Players over 23 years old are not included, with goaltenders needing to be 25 or under.

Today, we’re breaking down the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Year after year, the Blue Jackets continue to boast one of the best pipelines in the NHL.

On one hand, that’s great. There’s a lot to be excited about in the long-term future, and that doesn’t include some of the young talent already occupying key roles with the big club. But on the other hand, the fanbase wants this team to take a serious step forward. They’ve missed the playoffs for six straight years (although they almost pulled off a miracle late-season run in April). At some point, they need the future stars to become the present core.

Injuries to two of Columbus’ most important prospects – Cayden Lindstrom and Jordan Dumais – stunted their development a bit. The team moved on from David Jiricek and Gavin Brindley, while Denton Mateychuk became one of the most dominant rookie defensemen in the NHL. Some great performances from others further down in the depth chart – namely Luca Marrelli and Evan Gardner – helped spice up an already impressive pipeline.

If the Blue Jackets wanted to trade some of their youngsters to bring in immediate help, they’ve got options. But if the focus is on converting the team’s youth into long-term help, a bit more patience is needed.

Biggest Strength

A year ago, goaltending looked like the team’s biggest weakness. Now? The total opposite. Taken in the first round in 2025, Pyotr Andreyanov already looks like one of the best goaltender prospects in hockey. Jet Greaves had an oustanding year in both the NHL and AHL and should be Columbus’ opening night starter. Big seasons from Sergei Ivanov and Evan Gardner make them both look like potential backups, and I even like Melvin Strahl – Sweden’s third stringer at the World Juniors. At the very least, they’ve got plenty of trade chips to bring in more immediate help thanks to the team’s crowded crease.

Biggest Weakness

The Blue Jackets have plenty of depth at center and on the point. On the wings, though? Not so much. That’s especially true on the left side, where Oiva Keskinen – a seventh-rounder – and 5-foot-9 James Malatesta are the best options available. On the right side, it’s Jordan Dumais, who has missed the majority of the past two seasons due to injury. Maybe they could swap a goalie prospect to get some help on the wings.

Fast Facts:
NHL GM: Don Waddell
Dir. Amateur Scouting: Ville Siren
AHL Affiliate: Cleveland Monsters
ECHL Affiliate: N/A

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

*Cayden Lindstrom (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

1. Cayden Lindstrom, C, 19 (Michigan State University, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted fourth overall, first round in 2024

It was a difficult year for Lindstrom, who didn’t make his season debut until the WHL final. He had four points in four games but struggled to generate much at the Memorial Cup. Lindstrom has had issues with a herniated disc, so he has had a lot of catching up to do. Assuming he’s fully healthy and ready to go this coming year at MSU, he’ll have a perfect opportunity to spend time in the weight room, focus on getting stronger and use that to his advantage against tougher competition in college. Lindstrom’s combination of speed, size and skill makes him so fascinating. If he can stay healthy and get back to the pre-draft hype, Lindstrom is going to be so important for the Blue Jackets moving forward.

2. Jackson Smith, LHD, 18 (Penn State University, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 14th overall, first round in 2025

Gavin McKenna isn’t the only notable star headed to PSU this year. Meet Smith, their new star defender. One of the top blueliners from the 2025 draft, Smith plays a physical game while showing tremendous mobility for a 6-foot-4 defenseman. I also think his hockey sense is great, allowing him to get creative en route to his 54-point sophomore season with the Tri-City Americans. Smith gives the Blue Jackets another legitimate puck-moving threat, and while I’d like to see him clean up the mistakes under pressure, I really like where his game is right now. Looking back, I think the Blue Jackets will feel lucky they got Smith near the midway point of the first round.

3. Pyotr Andreyanov, G, 18 (CSKA Moskva, KHL)

Acquired: Drafted 20th overall, first round in 2025

There were questions surrounding Andreyanov’s actual height heading into the draft, but he stands at a solid 6-foot-2. He’s a bit on the heavier side, size-wise, but it doesn’t seem to affect his speed. He was one of the fastest goaltenders in the draft, which helped him become the first goaltender taken. Andreyanov had a tremendous season against Russian junior competition, showing some flashes of high-end ability. His save percentage was above .940 for most of the season, and while his team did score a lot, he seemed to thrive when he faced more action. His glove hand is quick, he’s reactive when he needs to be, and he doesn’t get frazzled when he lets a goal in. He signed a deal that’ll keep him in the KHL until 2030 (with an out-clause in 2029), so expect to see him on this list for years to come.

4. Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, 21 (Cleveland Monsters, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 44th, second round in 2022

It was a great year for LDBB, who had 53 points in 61 games to finish sixth in AHL scoring among U-22 players (and five points off the lead). Del Bel Belluz also impressed in the NHL, producing at just over half a point per game. Del Bel Belluz spent time at both center and the wing this year, but I feel like he got better – and more dangerous with the puck – once he moved down the middle. His skating has improved a bit, but there’s still work to go if he wants to have the desired speed and general mobility needed to thrive in the NHL. I see someone with middle-six potential, and I think he’ll be full-time in the NHL before too long.

5. Jet Greaves, G, 24 (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Acquired: Signed as undrafted free agent in 2022

When the Blue Jackets moved Daniil Tarasov to Florida before the draft, it opened up a spot for Greaves to become a full-time NHLer. Beyond the great name, Greaves’ career has been fascinating to watch. He went undrafted as a smaller goalie, but he was outstanding in his NHL debut in 2022-23. This past year, he was one of the AHL’s best goaltenders after a monster year in Cleveland, and he was easily Columbus’ top performing puckstopper, as well. The Blue Jackets truly believe in him. I’ll always be hesitant when it comes to goalies standing just six-foot tall, but the numbers last year don’t lie – he’s a legit NHLer.

6. Jordan Dumais, RW, 21 (Cleveland Monsters, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 96th overall, third round in 2022

*Jordan Dumais (Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports)*

Dumais has only played 42 regular season games over the past two years, so he has missed significantly more hockey than the average prospect. Still, 11 points in 21 AHL games isn nothing to sneeze at – especially after the limited playing time the year before. Dumais is one of the 5-foot-9 forwards who scouts still have faith in because of the insane output he has managed to put up year after year at all levels. He needs to continue adding muscle and improve his skating, but I feel like he handled the AHL quite well last year. I’m excited to see what he does in a full campaign – and maybe he’ll even make his NHL debut at some point in 2025-26. The lack of playing time the past two years leaves me concerned, though.

7. Stanislav Svozil, LHD, 22 (Cleveland Monsters, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 69th overall, third round in 2021

Svozil is in the final year of his entry-level contract – and we might finally see what he can do in the NHL. After originally turning pro in 2023, he has spent the past two years in the AHL where he has developed into a solid puck-moving defender. He hasn’t been able to explode offensively like he did when he was setting up Connor Bedard in Regina, but you still see the hockey sense and the puck skills that should allow him to compete for a roster spot sooner rather than later. Set to turn 23 halfway through the year, this is shaping up to be a major season for Svozil to prove he’s a bona fide NHLer.

8. Luca Marrelli, RHD, 19 (Cleveland Monsters, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 86th overall, third round in 2024

Marrelli was one of the top defensemen in the OHL last year (and his placement here shows how deep the Jackets are). Marrelli had 19 goals and 74 points during the regular season, leading Oshawa to a second straight OHL final. He’s already looking like a tremendous value pick at No. 86 in 2024, with his confidence with the puck being perhaps the most exciting element of his game. Some scouts are worried that, in a technical sense, there isn’t anything truly high-end in Marrelli’s game. But on the flipside, there are no glaring weaknesses, either.

9. Evan Gardner, G, 19 (Saskatoon Blades, WHL)

Acquired: Drafted 60th overall, second round in 2024

*Evan Gardner (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Goaltending wasn’t a problem for Canada at the World Juniors, but Gardner definitely had the numbers to warrant a spot at the selection camp (which he wasn’t invited to). The 2024 second-rounder has been one of the top goaltenders in the WHL over the past two years, even leading the league with a .927 save percentage in 2023-24. Gardner should be in the hunt to join Canada’s WJC team this year, although the competition looks even steeper. Look for Gardner to be one of the top goaltenders in the CHL in 2025-26 before turning pro the following year – and, potentially, establish himself as a long-term backup option.

10. Charlie Elick, RHD, 19 (Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL)

Acquired: Drafted 36th overall, second round in 2024

Elick started the year in Brandon before helping Tri-City chase a playoff dream. It was an eventful year, but one that saw him build more confidence in high-pressure situations. Elick moves well for a 6-foot-3 defenseman and many WHL players consider him one of the toughest defensemen to beat in 1-on-1 situations. There isn’t high-end upside here, and I don’t expect him to put up many points at the next level. But as a shutdown defender, Elick has a lot going for him, and I fully expect him to have little trouble adjusting to the pro game when the time comes around.

The rest: Jack Williams, RW (23), Oiva Keskinen, C (21), Mac McCue, C (22), Luca Pinelli, C (20), James Malatesta, LW (22), Hunter McKown, C (22), Owen Griffin, C (18), Jeremy Loranger, C (18), William Whitelaw, RW (20), Kirill Dolzhenkov, RW (21), Malte Vass, LHD (18), Luke Ashton, LHD (20), Tanner Henricks, RHD (18), Andrew Strathmann, LHD (20), Aidan Hreschuk, LHD (22), Nikolai Makarov, LHD (22), Corson Ceulemans, RHD (22), Victor Hedin Raftheim, LHD (17), Guillaume Richard, LHD (22), Nolan Lalonde, G (21), Sergei Ivanov, G (21), Melvin Strahl, G (20)

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