Welcome to the Columbus Blue Jackets 2025 Mock Draft.
In this article, I will be doing a complete mock draft for the Blue Jackets, where I go through and pick players they could take with their seven draft picks in the 2025 NHL Draft.
The Blue Jackets own two first-rounders, their own and the 20th pick from the Minnesota Wild as part of the David Jiricek trade. They don't own a second-round pick, it was sent to the Philadelphia Flyers in 2023 as part of the Kevin Connauton trade. They have their third, fourth, sixth, and seventh-round picks. Their fifth-round pick was sent to the Wild as part of the Jiricek trade and they also own another seventh from the Vegas Golden Knights, which they got as part of the Jonathan Quick flip trade in 2023.
They have an interesting set of draft picks, including two in the 10–20 range in the first, which could drastically change the future of their franchise. With that said, let's get into it.
Round 1, Pick Lynden Lakovic:
Team: Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
2024–25 Stats: 27 G, 31 A, 58 P
DOB: Dec. 12, 2006
Position: F
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 190 lbs
Round 1, Pick 20 (MIN): Joshua Ravensbergen
Team: Prince George Cougars (WHL)
2024–25 Stats: 33-13-4 - .901 SV% - 3.00 GAA
DOB: Nov. 27, 2006
Position: Goalie
Catches: Right
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 192 lbs
Round 3, Pick 77: Cooper Simpson
Team: University of North Dakota2024–25 Stats: 49 G, 34 A, 83 P
DOB: Feb. 5, 2007
Position: F
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 179 lbs
Round 4, Pick 109: Evan Passmore
Team: Barrie Colts (OHL)
2024–25 Stats: 3 G, 8 A, 11 P
DOB: Dec. 5, 2006
Position: D
Shoots: Right
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 209 lbs
Round 6, Pick 173: Melvin Novotny
Team: Leksands IF J2 (J20 Nationell)
2024–25 Stats: 12 G, 26 A, 38 P
DOB: April 3, 2007
Position: F
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 178 lbs
Round 7, Pick 205: Jonas Woo
Team: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
2024–25 Stats: 11 G, 32 A, 43 P
DOB: Nov. 19, 2006Position: D
Shoots: Right
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 165 lbs
Round 7, Pick 218 (VGK): Trenten Bennett
Team: Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
2024–25 Stats: 1-4-0 - .923 SV% - 2.65 GAA
DOB: April 1, 2006
Position: G
Catches: Left
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 209 lbs
For this mock draft, I tried to take the approach of what Waddell would take and not only get some of the best players available but also try and get a good balance of forwards, defence, and goalies.
For forwards, Lakovic, Simpson, and Novotny bring both skill and size to the organization. The Blue Jackets are in need of skilled wingers to play alongside their centers. Obviously, Lakovic is their top pick for a reason. At 6-foot-4, he brings a mix of power forward and finesse. Aside from picking a defenseman with their first pick, it makes the most sense for them to draft Lakovic and bring a potential unicorn to their organization. As for Simpson and Novotny, they both bring organizational depth and once they are NHL-ready, they could be good middle-six or bottom-six forwards.
Next up for defence, I picked Passmore and Woo. Passmore is more of an interesting target in the draft, at 6-foot-4, 209 pounds, he brings size, toughness, and defensive awareness. He isn't expected to score a ton, but he would do well on a pairing with an offensive defenseman. As for Woo, he, much like Simpson and Novotny, is organizational depth that could be a fringe NHL player, but also could be a call-up for the team.
Lastly, goaltenders, starting with the big fish Joshua Ravensbergen, hands down the best goalie in the draft. If he is there, the Blue Jackets need to draft him. Right now, they have Jet Greaves as a potential starter and Elvis Merzlikins who looks to be on his way out. If they can add Ravensbergen, a future NHL starter who very well could be a stud goalie, it would be the biggest add of the draft. He would be able to step in within a handful of years and take over the crease and hopefully lead Columbus to winning the Stanley Cup. As for Trenten Bennett, he has potential to make the NHL down the road, but he would be a good addition to the organization as a project that has shown he can win games and make saves. Although he is a seventh-round pick, he may be a name you see in the NHL years from now.
The 2025 NHL Draft takes place tomorrow night, with round two going Saturday. The Blue Jackets have some big questions to be answered. It's only a matter of time until we finally see who they draft to be the future of the organization.
