Well, it’s that time again.
The Stanley Cup belongs to the Carolina Hurricanes. The NHL has doled out its postseason accolades. Now there’s offseason trade activity buzzing as the 2026 NHL Draft awaits June 26-27, starting the busiest portion of the league’s summer schedule.
The Blue Jackets haven’t done much since re-signing center Charlie Coyle in April, but there’s plenty of time for things to start happening in Columbus. Until something materializes for the Jackets, it’s a good time to take a glance at what’s ahead with this year’s draft.
How to watch the 2026 NHL Draft
The first round will be televised on ESPN and ESPN+ at 7 p.m. on June 26, while the second day, rounds 2-7, will be carried by NHL Network and ESPN+ starting at 11 a.m. June 27.
How will the 2026 NHL Draft be conducted?
The NHL’s 2026 NHL Draft headquarters is at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, but teams will make picks remotely from the league’s 32 markets. It’s the second straight year the draft has been conducted this way.
While some top prospects are expected to attend the draft in person, most players selected during the two-day event will watch things unfold on television.
Who is the top prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft?
Most draft analysts consider Penn State forward Gavin McKenna, who can play center, to be the top player available. He’s projected to go first overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs, which will give that Original Six franchise a replacement for dazzling playmaker Mitch Marner just one year after losing him in a sign-and-trade deal with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Ivar Stenburg, a highly skilled Swedish winger, is expected to go second overall to the San Jose Sharks if the Maple Leafs don’t pull a surprise and pick him first.
Columbus Blue Jackets picks in 2026 NHL Draft
Blue Jackets president/general manager has again made it known that his first-round pick, 14th overall, is available through trade. That also holds true for the Jackets’ other six picks on the second day, but Waddell currently has his full assortment of seven picks. Here’s where they’re slotted:
Columbus Blue Jackets exploring trade market
This is the second straight year the Blue Jackets are heading into the draft with the 14th overall pick. It’s also the second straight year that Waddell would prefer to include that pick in a trade that returns an established NHL player for the Blue Jackets, preferably a top-six forward.
On its own, the 14th pick almost certainly isn’t enough to accomplish that goal. Packaged with other picks, a prospect and/or an NHL player could get the job done. There’s also a chance Waddell uses his picks, including 14th overall, to move up in the first round and secure a prospect the Blue Jackets covet.
Columbus Blue Jackets needs at 2026 NHL Draft
The Blue Jackets have selected quite a few large defensemen with good skating ability in their past two drafts, including speedy left-hander Jackson Smith with the 14th overall pick a year ago.
They could stand to add more power forwards and centers to their developmental system, but don’t be surprised if another defenseman or two join the organization. Malte Gustafsson, a strong 6-foot-4 defenseman from Sweden, might still be available with the 14th overall pick, along with Ryan Lin, a smaller offensive defenseman with a right-handed shot.
Ethan Belchetz, a 6-5 power forward with skill, isn’t likely to drop where the Blue Jackets are currently slotted in the first round but might be worth the price of a trade to move up. Oscar Hemming, a 6-4 Finnish left wing from Boston College, is also projected to go in the range where the Jackets are picking.
Columbus Blue Jackets draft history
Here are all the Blue Jackets’ picks from the past five drafts:
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
Dispatch Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What will Columbus Blue Jackets do in 2026 NHL Draft?
Reporting by Brian Hedger, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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By Brian Hedger, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
