The Columbus Blue Jackets (40-30-12) enter the 2026 NHL Draft with the No. 14 overall pick after narrowly missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs during the 2025-26 season.
Columbus finished fifth in the Metropolitan Division and 11th in the Eastern Conference with 92 points. The Blue Jackets remained in the playoff race late into the season, but were eliminated from postseason contention before the end of the regular season.
The Blue Jackets currently hold seven selections in the 2026 NHL Draft, beginning with the No. 14 overall pick in the first round. Columbus also owns picks in the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds after several trades reshaped the club’s draft board.
Columbus’ recent draft history includes Jackson Smith and Pyotr Andreyanov, who were selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. The Blue Jackets also added Malte Vass in the third round as part of a six-player draft class that strengthened the organization’s prospect pool.
The 2026 NHL Draft will be held June 26-27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Here’s everything to know about the Columbus Blue Jackets’ NHL Draft outlook.
When Do The Columbus Blue Jackets Pick In The 2026 NHL Draft?
The Columbus Blue Jackets currently hold the No. 14 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Columbus secured the selection after finishing the 2025-26 season with a 40-30-12 record and missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Columbus Blue Jackets 2026 NHL Draft PicksRound 1, Pick 14Round 2, Pick 43 (via St. Louis)Round 3, Pick 96 (via Colorado)Round 4, Pick 101 (via Toronto)Round 5, Pick 142Round 6, Pick 185 (via Pittsburgh)Round 7, Pick 206NHL Mock Draft 2026: Who Will The Columbus Blue Jackets Pick?
The Columbus Blue Jackets are projected to select Oscar Hemming with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
FloHockey’s latest 2026 NHL Mock Draft has Columbus picking the Boston College forward, who the mock draft describes as a great complimentary player and passer.
Who Did The Columbus Blue Jackets Draft In 2025?
The Columbus Blue Jackets selected Jackson Smith and Pyotr Andreyanov in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft.
Columbus’ 2025 draft class featured six selections, led by Smith at No. 14 overall and Andreyanov at No. 20 overall. The Blue Jackets also drafted Malte Vass, Owen Griffin, Victor Hedin Raftheim and Jeremy Loranger.
Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City AmericansPyotr Andreyanov, G, Krasnaya Armiya MoscowMalte Vass, D, Farjestad Jr.Owen Griffin, C, Oshawa GeneralsVictor Hedin Raftheim, D, Brynas Jr.Jeremy Loranger, C, Sherwood Park CrusadersHas A Columbus Blue Jackets Player Ever Won The NHL Calder Memorial Trophy?
Yes, a Columbus Blue Jackets player has won the NHL Calder Memorial Trophy.
Steve Mason won the Calder Trophy in 2009 after a standout rookie season in goal for Columbus. Mason remains the only Blue Jackets player to win the award.
Who Are The Columbus Blue Jackets Minor League Hockey Team Affiliates?
The Columbus Blue Jackets’ primary minor league affiliate is the Cleveland Monsters in the American Hockey League.
Cleveland serves as Columbus’ top development team and remains a key part of the organization’s prospect pipeline. The Blue Jackets do not currently have a dedicated ECHL affiliate.
Columbus Blue Jackets Missed The Stanley Cup Playoffs In 2025-26
The Columbus Blue Jackets missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs during the 2025-26 season.
Columbus finished 40-30-12 with 92 points and placed fifth in the Metropolitan Division. The Blue Jackets stayed in the race late into the regular season, but ultimately missed the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.
How To Watch 2026 NHL Draft Show With The Athletic Live On FloHockey
Watch ‘The Athletic Hockey Show x FloHockey NHL Draft Live’ on FloHockey this Friday, June 26 from 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. ET and Saturday, June 27 from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. ET.
The special NHL Draft broadcast will stream live on the FloHockey website, FloSports app, the FloHockey 24/7 channel on Prime Video, Fubo, YouTube, Bell Fibe (Canada) and the Roku Channel (Canada), as well as The Athletic’s YouTube channel.
Subscribe to FloHockey today so you never miss a moment. All games will be available on FloHockey.tv or via the FloSports mobile and connected TV apps.
FINAL NHL DRAFT RANKINGS!@chrismpeters has his final ranking for the 2026 NHL Draft featuring 75 players. See who made the list! https://t.co/R1ySGVbNEx@OHLHockey | @QMJHL | @LHJMQ | @USHL | @SHLse #nhldraft #ohl #qmjhl #ushl #shl pic.twitter.com/9rYqBfrxbQ
— FloHockey (@FloHockey) June 15, 2026NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey
The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL, minor-league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don’t miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.
Watch the AHL, ECHL, QMJHL, OHL, And More On FloHockey
FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the ECHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.
Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social