The Blue Jackets are expected to select Michael Hrabal
With the No. 34 overall pick, the Columbus Blue Jackets select...Michael Hrabal, Omaha Lancers and the University of Massachusetts
Why pick him? With the issues that the CBJ have with goaltending, it’s an easy choice. The Blue Jackets need to go out and get the highest rated goalie in this draft. In most rankings, Hrabal is ranked as the second-best goalie in the draft but should be the first goalie taken. NHL Central Scouting has him ranked #2 as well. The CBJ need to start building the goalie pipeline. Currently they have Nolan Lalonde (undrafted), Sergei Ivanov (5th) and Jet Greaves (undrafted) in the system. None of them are projected to be everyday starters in the NHL anytime soon, if at all. Daniil Tarasov and Elvis Merzlikins were both third-round picks and are expected to be the top two goalies in Columbus for the next few seasons. Michael Hrabal is big, and I mean big. He’s 18-years-old, stands a towering 6-foot-6, and weighs in at 209 lbs. He’s a very good skater and plays the position well, but for any 18-year-old there’s a lot of learning to do as well. So, with that, he’ll be off to the University of Massachusetts for the 2023-24 season. In 2022-23 Hrabal played for the Omaha Lancers of the USHL, and although overall as a team they didn’t do so well, going 17-36-6-3, Hrabal posted some decent numbers. His record was 9-13-4, but his GAA was 2.86 with a save % of .908 with three shutouts. A season prior to that, he played most of the season for the HC Sparta Praha U20 team. He played in 24 games, posting a 18-3 record with one shutout. Hrabal had a GAA of 2.14 and a save % of .936. The Blue Jackets need to start looking at the future of the goaltending position, and it should start with Hrabal.
Check out Tony Ferraris final draft rankings here
Scouts say about Hrabal:
- “He’s incredibly poised”
- “Naturally athletic and a very good skater”
- “Displays an excellent glove hand, and a calm controlled demeanor”
- "His rebound control is high end”
Who are the other options? If the Blue Jackets can’t land Hrabal, they could go for another goalie. NHL Central Scouting has Carson Bjarnason ranked as the top goalie for this draft. The 17-year-old Bjarnason currently plays for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. Last season he went 21-19-5, with a GAA of 3.08 and a save % of .900. Bjarnson is a big kid himself, standing at 6-foot-3 and 186 pounds. He seems to be a little more athletic than Hrabal. Adam Gajan, out of Slovakia is another option. The THN Mock draft has him going one spot ahead of Hrabal and has committed to the Univ. of Minnesota-Duluth but could return to the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. Another big goalie prospect at 6-foot-2, Gajan raised some eyebrows playing for the NAHL’s Chippewa Steel. One of these three goalies should be drafted by Columbus.
What else is on the agenda? The draft and free agency loom large for the CBJ. They are most likely going to draft some really good talent in the first couple rounds. Now they need to address the center position and possibly a free agent goalie for depth. They need a goalie or two in the minors to call up in a pinch.