It's the third consecutive season the Blue Jackets own multiple first-rounders, with the team selecting five times in the first round the previous two drafts. The Blue Jackets actually have two picks in the first round - that third overall pick as well as the first-rounder acquired from Los Angeles at the trade deadline. 2 and we'll take our pick at three and it'll be a great player." I think we have a pretty good idea of that, and then we'll see who gets taken at No. A lot of those guys are ranked in the top of the rankings with what you see publicly, and we'll see who gets taken at one. "I think there will be a great centericeman available at three. "We've talked about it enough, that we need to strengthen that position," Kekalainen said. Time will tell how things will unfold at the draft, but the Blue Jackets will likely end up with one of those players, who seem to have separated themselves from the pack based on what draft analysts have said to this point.Ĭonsidering the Blue Jackets loaded up on defensemen last year in first-round choices David Jiricek and Denton Mateychuk, it's good news that the top of the draft is so heavy on centers. When it comes to the international ranks, Swedish center Leo Carlsson is ranked first by Central Scouting, while Russian wing Matvei Michkov is second. National Team Development Program center Will Smith third. 1 North American skater by the NHL Central Scouting bureau, with University of Michigan center Adam Fantilli second and U.S. 1, but we're going to get a big piece that is going to help us get to the next level."īedard is ranked as the No. We're going to get a player that's going to change the direction of the franchise. "I can't emphasize it enough - we're going to get a difference maker. 4 and he's a Conn Smythe winner on the Stanley Cup team last year and the Norris Trophy winner. "Even in the not-so-distant past, Cale Makar was drafted No. "Just look at the history of the league and the players that have been drafted at three or four even," Kekalainen said. Video: The 3rd overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft is ours. Analysts also feel the talent at the top of this year's draft is impressive, and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen believes the Blue Jackets will still add an exciting piece when the league makes its picks this summer in Nashville. The bad news is the Blue Jackets will miss out on a chance to draft a player like Connor Bedard, the high-scoring center who has been described by many analysts as one of the top prospects to enter the league in years.īut there is good news, including the fact the Jackets didn't fall as low as they could have to four.
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