The 2021 NHL draft party for the Columbus Blue Jackets was a special night. Not only was it a chance for CBJ fans to see their team pick three times in the first round, but it was a chance for Jackets fans to come together as a group for one of the first times since the COVID pandemic gripped the world. 

Coming into draft day, the Blue Jackets had two first-round draft picks that they were going to use in an attempt to start a rebuild. But just before the draft, though, Columbus traded Seth Jones to the Chicago Blackhawks for Adam Boqvist and a few draft picks. One of those picks was the 12th pick in the draft that would happen just a couple of hours later. 

The Blue Jackets Draft Kent Johnson At #5 Overall

With the 5th pick in the 2021 draft, the Jackets chose winger Kent Johnson from the University of Michigan. Some people called it a stretch pick; others were excited about the slim kid from Port Moody, BC.

Johnson would go on to play his second season at Michigan and record 37 points in 32 games. He would turn pro after that season and would make his NHL debut on April 13, 2022. The next season Johnson would play in 79 games for the Jackets and would record 40 points, including 16 goals. It seemed Johnson had arrived. But the following season, Johnson didn't do well, and was demoted to the Monsters to "find his confidence." 

The 24-25 season would be Johnson's breakout season. He would score 24 goals and total 57 points, which included 15 power play points and a shorthanded goal. 

Johnson is signed through the 2027 season and will be an RFA afterwards. He'll be looking for a big payday if he can produce at a high level for the next two seasons. 

Almost every single trade rumor or mock trade that pops up on the internet involves Kent Johnson, but after the year that he just had, it's safe to assume he's not going anywhere. He does need to come back this upcoming season and have an even stronger year though. 

The Blue Jackets Draft Cole Sillinger At #12 Overall

Coming into this draft, Jackets fans were hoping there was a way that Columbus could draft the 10th ranked skater in the 2021 draft - Cole Sillinger. Why? It was simple. Sillinger was born in Columbus when his dad Mike, played for the Blue Jackets back on 5/16/2003.

No one expected Cole Sillinger to come into camp that fall and leave with an NHL job, but that's exactly what he did. 

His rookie year, Sillinger played in 79 games for the Jackets, scoring 16 goals, 31 points, and had 3 game-winning goals. The 18-year-old Sillinger was on his way. 

And then his sophomore year happened. His second year in the league did not go well. He played in 64 games and had 11 points. He was also sent down to Cleveland for spell to try to get him going. 

The 2023-24 season was definitely a bounce back year for young Sillinger. He played in 77 games and had 32 points. His ice time also jumped up over 16 minutes per game and it looked like he was coming back. 

The 2024-25 season was another good year for Cole. Despite missing some games due to injury, Sillinger managed to score 11 goals and total 33 points. He also set a career high with 16:55 of ice time. Sillinger, at 21 years old had put together 2 seasons in a row, and three of four with over 30 points, mainly as a third and fourth liner. 

Cole Sillinger has one year left on his current contract $2,250,000 and will then be an RFA. There's a strong chance he gets a good contract from the Blue Jackets, and that will make a lot of people in Columbus happy. 

There are constant mock trades springing up on social media that include Sillinger's name, but it would be a shame if the Jackets ever traded him. Not just because of his name and where he was born, but because he has a chance to become a really good player in the NHL. 

This day in history was a big one for the Columbus Blue Jackets, specifically with the players above.

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THN Columbus Exclusive - Q&A With Indy Car Driver/Blue Jackets Fan Graham Rahal The Columbus Blue Jackets have a ton of loyal fans, but only one can say that he drives a 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 Indy Car capable of reaching speeds of around 235 MPH. That driver is Graham Rahal, driver of the #15 car for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.