Two recent Columbus Blue Jackets first-round picks have picked up some big-time praise.

This is because defenseman Jackson Smith and forward Oscar Hemming were both included on Scott Wheeler's top 100 NHL drafted prospect rankings for The Athletic. 

Smith was given the No. 40 spot on Wheeler's rankings. Seeing the 2025 first-round pick make the cut is not too surprising, as he had a strong freshman season with Penn State. In 35 games with the school, the 6-foot-4 defenseman recorded 11 goals, 15 assists, and 26 points. 

Smith also showed plenty of promise in the WHL with the Tri-City Americans during the 2024-25 season. In 68 games that campaign with the WHL club, he recorded 11 goals, 43 assists, and 54 points. With this, it is clear that he has good upside. 

Hemming, on the other hand, picked up the No. 53 spot on Wheeler's rankings. The 2026 first-round pick played in 19 games last season with Boston College, where he posted one goal and eight points. Overall, he showed promise, but especially when noting that the 17-year-old forward was one of the youngest players in college hockey. 

During the 2024-25 season with Kiekko-Espoo's U18 team, Hemming posted 35 goals and 63 points in just 31 games. The 6-foot-4 forward also had 10 points in 18 games with Kiekko-Espoo's U20 team that campaign, so he has clear offensive upside.