2026-27 Columbus Blue Jackets Top Prospects

** Different sites can use different criteria for determining who is still a prospect. Also, for Dobber Prospect lists they take a fantasy hockey approach – prospects whose current trajectory projects them making the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL.

Jackson Smith – Elite skating (scouts rated it 10/10), elite puck-moving, high hockey IQ, and creativity that leads to incredible plays. He’s a chameleon: one moment leading the rush, the next using physicality and smothering opponents. He gets into lanes, is positionally smart, doesn’t give up on puck battles, and can skate his way back into any play.

Oscar Hemming – A big, skilled power winger who combines a 6-foot-4 frame with good puck skills, a heavy shot, and impressive mobility for his size. He is effective protecting the puck down low, attacking the interior of the offensive zone, and using his strength on the forecheck, while also possessing enough vision and passing ability to create opportunities for teammates. NHL Central Scouting highlighted his physical presence, puck protection, hockey sense, and combination of passing and shooting ability.

Cayden Lindstrom – Massive, physical forward who doesn’t sacrifice skill or smarts. He’s a fearless, inventive, inside-driven puck carrier, willing to bury shoulder while darting down the wing or swashbuckling through defenders between the hashmarks. His powerful shot, aggressive style, and ability to dominate around the net make him desirable.

Pyotr Andreyanov  – Andreyanov has rapidly become one of the highest-regarded goalie prospects in hockey. Several prospect analysts now rank him among the top five drafted goaltending prospects outside the NHL. His biggest selling point is explosive movement. He gets post-to-post quickly, recovers well after initial saves, and can make difficult second-effort stops that many goalies cannot.

Luca Del Bel Belluz – Del Bel Belluz has quietly become one of the most NHL-ready forwards in the Blue Jackets system. He led Cleveland offensively and has produced at nearly a point-per-game pace in the AHL over the last two seasons. He posted 58 points in 55 AHL games in 2025-26 after scoring 53 points in 61 games the year before. Among Columbus prospects, he’s probably the player most likely to earn a full-time NHL role next season

2026 Columbus Blue Jackets Draft Picks

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