2024 Columbus Blue Jackets Draft Projections: Berkly Catton
In February, THN's own Ryan Kennedy released his Mid-Term 2024 NHL Draft Rankings: The First Round Projection on The Hockey News main site. And it got us thinking, who in the top 5 should the CBJ draft?
Berkly Catton - Center - Spokane Chiefs
NHL Central Scouting has him listed at #8 regarding North American skaters, up from 9 at the mid-term. He's ranked as high as 3 by Dobber Prospects and Smaht Scouting, as low as 10 by TSN's Bob McKenzie, and 15 by TSN's Craig Button.
In his article from February Kennedy says about Catton:
Berkly Catton, C, Spokane (WHL): Incredibly smart and talented player who captained Canada to gold at the summer Hlinka-Gretzky tournament. Catton is posting major numbers with the Chiefs and is the type of player who finds easy chemistry with other dangerous players. He and Tij Iginla were great at the CHL Top Prospects Game, for example.
Stats: The young Canadian from Saskatoon just finished his second full season in the WHL for the Spokane Chiefs. His second season saw a significant jump in scoring, with a stat line of 54-62-116. His 116 points were up from his rookie season, with 55 points. Unless Catton would make an NHL roster out of camp, the earliest he would be eligible for the AHL would be 2026, as Catton is only 18 years old. He does have a smaller frame, so he could benefit from getting bigger. By the time it's all said and done, Catton could be the all-time leading scorer in Chiefs history. He currently sits 45th with 175 points, with former Blue Jacket Ray Whitney at #1 with 348 points. Catton would need 173 points over the next two seasons to catch Whitney and write himself into the Spokane record books. At the pace he's scoring, his record might be untouchable.
Measurements: 5-foot-11, 170lbs
What Scouts Are Saying
hockeywiz777scouting.com - Catton is an elusive, offensive talent who’s difficult to defend in tight quarters; when he gets a step in transition, he’s a massive threat to create and score. He’s an excellent skater, displaying high-end edge work and quickness for the pro level. He combines that with very good hands and vision and a pass-first mentality. The only real knock on his game is his diminutive frame.
Dobber Prospects - April 2024 - Catton has the patience and headiness to slow down play to find seams, and the creativity and IQ to identify dangerous options, an area that he could find more success in with better support. Catton’s shooting and passing are complemented by his aforementioned puckhandling that he uses to get off the boards and turn defenders inside out. While his defensive game lacks strength and awareness, Catton’s ceiling is a high-end transporter and offensive weapon with PP1 upside.
Final Thoughts
Many Columbus fans will shoot this pick down for one reason, and that's his size. Yes, the Blue Jackets need to get bigger, which is why Cayden Lindstrom would be a perfect fit, but if the Jackets fall in the draft, Lindstrom may not be there. They need to take players who are playmakers and Catton is just that. A playmaking center to go along with Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger is the perfect pick.
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Join Jason Newland's Columbus Blue Jacket page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can watch a new YouTube game show about the Blue Jackets, Around the Fifth Line.