My updates to the Columbus Blue Jackets top 10 prospects are complete, and below is the link to those rankings. The strength at the top of the Jackets’ pool remains the number of quality goaltenders at its disposal. Columbus’ #1 prospect from a season ago, Jet Greaves, teamed up with Elvis Merzlikins in 2025-26 to provide a steady presence between the pipes. Although this year’s #1 prospect is d-man Jackson Smith of Penn State University, also continuing their development are highly-touted goaltending prospects Pyotr Andreyanov (20th overall in 2025), Sergei Ivanov (138th overall in 2022) & Evan Gardner (60th overall in 2024). Of this trio, Ivanov appears to be the most NHL-ready, although he is projected to spend 2026-27 in the KHL with St. Petersburg, on loan from Columbus.
Goaltending is not the end of the story when it comes to the Columbus prospect pool, however. Although forward scoring talents Luca Del Bel Belluz and Luca Pinelli are projected to start the season in Cleveland, they both are expected to receive opportunities for playing time in Columbus. Added to this are a pair of former first-round forwards in Cayden Lindstrom (4th overall in 2024) and Oscar Hemming (14th overall in 2026), who will continue their development at the NCAA level (Lindstrom at Michigan State, Hemming at Boston College). Lindstrom in particular is expected to make big strides in his development this season. He appears to be fully recovered from back surgery costing him his entire 2024-25 season, and spent 2025-26 with the Spartans adjusting to the college game. The hulking power forward (6’3″ 220 pounds) looks to fulfill the promise that put him near the top of the draft board two summers ago.
https://thehockeylawyer.net/team-stats/columbus-blue-jackets/