The Columbus Blue Jackets came into night one of the 2025 NHL Draft armed with multiple first-round picks, and many thought that Don Waddell would trade both of those picks. But it wasn't because they thought he would, but because he told everyone that they were on the market.
Let's take a look at who they drafted and reactions from around the CBJ landscape.
Jackson Smith - Tri-City Americans - WHL
2025-26 Team: Penn State University (NCAA)
2024–25 Stats: 11 G, 43 A, 54 P, 48 PIM
DOB: May 13, 2007
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 190 lbs
Reactions
- "Some of our scouts that watched him all the time rated his skating as a ten, and that happens very rarely" - Don Waddell
- "We would have never, ever predicted he would be there at 14." - Don Waddell
- "I really believe if there's a player there that you really want, don't pass it up." - Don Waddell
- Skating is rated a 10.
- Smith was #4 on the Jackets list.
- His projected ceiling is a top-four defenseman in the NHL.
- "Smith’s skating, combined with his handling skill and creativity, often leads to some truly incredible plays." "He spins off the forecheck, takes the middle, and launches a cross-ice pass through the next layer for a chance. From the point, he steps in, fakes, explodes across, and walks inside for a chance. With seemingly endless creativity, he pulls pucks through defenders’ legs, cuts off the wall, and capitalizes on backdoor passing lanes as they open." - Elite Prospects draft guide.
- Models his play after defensemen Miro Heiskanen and Zach Werenski.
- "Smith is a tall, rangy defenseman who has produced points as a strong puck mover. At almost 6-foot-4 and excellent skating, he adds a different element to the Columbus blue line. Smith is going to Penn State next year, which I think will be very good for his development. He needs to work on making tougher decisions under pressure and being a bit more accurate with some of the plays he tries to make." - Chris Peters - FloHockey
- "Players with his combination of skills – size, skating, plus the ability to contribute offense from the blue line – don't come along too often, though Smith will have to continue to refine his game to keep making steps toward the NHL level" - Jeff Svoboda - Columbus Blue Jackets
Pyotr Andreyanov - Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)
2024–25 Stats: 23-6-6, .942 SV %, 1.75 GAA
DOB: Jan 22, 2007
Position: Goalie
Catches: Left
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 207 lbs
Reactions
- "He reminds me of a young Bob." - CBJ Goaltending Coach Nic Backstrom
- "Every kid that we talked to down there ... we always ask them this question: if you had one player from here that you could take with you to your next team... and 90% of them said Pyotr." - Don Waddell
- "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. Andreyanov’s lack of size won’t help him, though." - Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff
- "Andreyanov has outstanding quickness in his lower half." "He makes a ton of highlight reel-type saves due to his athleticism, plus his compete level." - The Athletic's Corey Pronman
- “Andreyanov is a stocky goaltender who takes up a good share of the net with his stature. He’s athletic but, at times, too active, although he never quits on a puck and has the overall quickness required to recover and make saves.” - Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala
- "Arguably the top Russian goalie, Andreyanov dictates play with his coveted combination of size, athleticism and vision." — Luke Sweeney - Dobber Prospects
- Andreyanov will attend the Development camp in Columbus.
Many people consider this to be a successful night for the Columbus Blue Jackets. With Jackson going to college, and Andreyanov not expected to come to North America for 3-4 years, it'll be a while before we can look at this night and say whether it was a success or not. Don Waddell was very happy with who he picked in this draft, though.
But that was just round one. The Jackets will now pick five more times in the 2025 Draft. They will not pick in the second or third rounds, however. They have picks in the 4th(1), 5th(1), 6th(1), and 7th(2) rounds that they can use or trade.
Let us know what you think below.
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