This is where the intrigue starts in this year’s draft, no matter who is picking here. If they draft third or later, the impact will likely be felt in 2024-25 or beyond. ![]() 2 pick, it will dramatically impact their 2023-24 roster, as both Bedard and Fantilli are considered NHL-ready. He played a rugged game and has the size (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) that reminds scouts of Los Angeles center Anze Kopitar. True freshmen don’t often light up college hockey, but Fantilli was a dominant player at the University of Michigan. There’s no question, the Jackets would skip to the podium to make this pick. 1 center, which is an age-old need in Columbus. Yes, some fans will be upset about not landing Bedard, but Fantilli would still give the Blue Jackets a future No. 1 pick? It’s not an easy question.įantilli is so much more than a consolation prize. 2 pick (Fantilli), would you give up your chance at the No. ![]() Great question: if you could be promised no worse than the No. 98 sweater will be everywhere in a way that no other player (apologies Rick Nash) has experienced. The entire organization would be pushed into a different stratosphere, especially marketing and ticket sales. The Blue Jackets desperately need such a player, even if the current players in the dressing room can’t or won’t admit it. But those around him rave about his ability to be a “lift-all-boats” type of talent, a player who is incredibly driven and motivated to greatness, with similar wiring to Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and other maniacal workers. Bedard is the absolutely no-brainer pick, of course, the only question is how quick and how big an impact he could make.īedard is a wondrous talent on the ice, obviously. If this comes to pass, the Blue Jackets would likely one day point to May 8, 2023, as the day the franchise’s fortunes began to turn. But each pick would impact the Blue Jackets differently. This is regarded as a very good draft, so the Blue Jackets are likely to land a high-end player no matter where they pick. It’s certainly possible, but the Jackets have a 27.6 percent chance to pick in the top two and a 58.3 percent chance to land in the top three. 4, and that would require two clubs with low-percentage chances vaulting up the draft board. The Blue Jackets can’t pick any lower than No. 1 pick, delivering generational forward Connor Bedard to a franchise that’s been starved of high-end talent for most of its 23 seasons. ![]() By now, you know the number and the name: the Blue Jackets have a 13.5 percent chance to win the lottery and land the No.
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