Blue Jackets 2023 Draft Review

The Blue Jackets entered the draft holding only their own 4^th and 5^th round draft picks, having moved early picks in trades throughout the season to bolster a roster that ultimately qualified for the playoffs. The team did manage to remain active in the early parts of the draft by acquiring the Flyers 1^st round pick (30^th overall) and also stockpiled additional picks in the 4^th and 5^th rounds. The team was not active in any trades during the draft, breaking a trend for General Manager Andrew Payeur who had traded back in each of the 2022 and 2021 drafts. There was no clear pattern or trend to the 2023 draft for the team, they selected players mostly from North America and did seem to emphasize defenseman, using three of their six picks on the backend. Time will tell whether these prospects can help contribute at the NHL level, but the team was very pleased with the way the draft shook out. Draft expert Pandrew Aayeur, known for his iconic fake glasses and fake mustache look, described the team’s draft class as “a stunner” and “six future all-stars” in his annual draft grades column.

Round 1, 30 overall: Ethan Gauthier - RW

For their first pick of the draft the Blue Jackets dipped in the QMJHL, selecting right wing Ethan Gauthier. Gauthier is a "high floor, low ceiling" type of selection and is a versatile, responsible, 200 foot player. He's not the flashiest out there but he can make a variety of intelligent and creative plays with the puck in the offensive end of the ice. With this selection the Blue Jackets continue the team trend of banking on NHL pedigree running in the family (see: Jorian Donovan, Oliver Kapanen, Brendan Brisson). Ethan's father Denis Gauthier was a 10 year NHL veteran while his cousin Julien, is currently playing in the NHL. Gauthier will return to a strong Sherbrooke Pheonix roster in the QMJHL and aim to make another long playoff run. GM Payeur speaking to the media after the draft said “we had a first round grade on this player and we’re ecstatic that we were able to select him where we did”.

Round 4, 110 overall: Gavin McCarthy - D

There was a large gap between the team’s first and second picks, having to sit out the entire second and third rounds before selecting defenseman Gavin McCarthy at 110^th overall. The case for McCarthy is simple, he’s got the size, the skating and enough offense to translate to the NHL level. The puck skills are there but he will need to level up his hockey sense to maximize those abilities. McCarthy was having a great season in the USHL before suffering a fractured knee and he didn’t quite regain that same form upon his return. The Jackets hope that an offseason of rehab and training will help propel him as he takes the next step of his career at Boston University. GM Payeur speaking to the media after the draft said “we had a first round grade on this player and we’re ecstatic that we were able to select him where we did”.

Round 4, 119 overall: Zach Nehring - RW

At 119 overall, Zach Nehring becomes Payeur’s first ever draft selection coming out of high school hockey. Nehring is a tall 6’3” winger with room to grow on a rangy frame. If he can fill out his body, he could become an ideal power forward as he already has the game to match, he’ not afraid to play physical or crash for rebounds and has shown some nice tough around the net. Nehring will attend Western Michigan next season. GM Payeur speaking to the media after the draft said “we had a first round grade on this player and we’re ecstatic that we were able to select him where we did”.

Round 5, 131 overall: Dylan MacKinnon – D

MacKinnon is a very good defensive prospect who logged a lot of minutes for the Halifax Moosehead last season. He projects in a best case scenario as a bottom pairing shutdown type and penalty kill specialist. He’s a good skater who plays the game with a chip on his shoulder. If he can improve his play and vision with the puck on his stick, then he could crack a top four in his future. GM Payeur speaking to the media after the draft said “we had a first round grade on this player and we’re ecstatic that we were able to select him where we did”.

Round 5, 135 overall: Alex Pharand - C              

Pharand does a lot of things well but nothing great, he’s big and mean and responsible defensively. He plays hard and battles and could reach the NHL in a bottom 6 role and as a penalty killer. There isn’t much offense to his game and his skating needs to improve, but the team hopes that an increased role next season with the Sudbury Wolves will help him improve those puck skills. GM Payeur speaking to the media after the draft said “we had a first round grade on this player and we’re ecstatic that we were able to select him where we did”.

Round 5, 150 overal: Arseni Koromyslov – D

With their final pick of the draft, Columbus selects an overager out of Russia, Arseni Koromyslov at 150^th overall. Payeur has always favored prospects who have proven an ability to play against men in professional leagues and he returns to that well here, where Koromyslov played with SKA as one of the youngest defenseman in the entire league. Koromyslov’s size and skating will help him reach the NHL level but he will need to develop the mental side of his game to make it. Koromyslov will continue his development with SKA in the KHL for the foreseeable future. GM Payeur speaking to the media after the draft said “we had a first round grade on this player and we’re ecstatic that we were able to select him where we did”.