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Corey Pronman details what to expect from the Columbus Blue Jackets’ new prospects and how they fit into the farm system. This page will be updated throughout the 2024 NHL Draft.
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2024 Draft Grade: B
Columbus’ first two picks were premium athletes Cayden Lindstrom and Charlie Elick, who play hard but have varying questions on how high their offensive side is. Some scouts believe Lindstrom could be a star, and if they get that type of output then this draft will look quite rosier than where I have them graded. I think Elick and Lindstrom are NHL regulars and their third-round pick, Luca Marrelli, has a real chance to play games, too.
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Draft Class
4. Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
February 3, 2006 | 6′ 3″ | 214 pounds
Tier: Top of the lineup player
Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: High-end
Shot: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Chris Kreider
Analysis: Lindstrom came out of the gates this season flying for the first few months. He then was hurt for most of the second half though between a hand and back injury. When healthy, he’s an elite athlete. He has the quick twitch feet of a smaller forward, and can get by opposing defenders. He’s a big, powerful center with a ton of physicality in his game. Lindstrom has good offensive skills, and can score goals. His playmaking is something I’ve questioned at times although he’s shown good instances this season. He has the potential to be a true No. 1 center if he hits although I don’t see a lot of NHL centers who play the way he does and I could see him get pushed to the wing.
Pick grade: B-
Thoughts on the pick: Lindstrom projects as the potential second-line center for Columbus between Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger. In those three players it’s a lot of meanness and scoring ability down the middle. Lindstrom’s hockey sense and injury history would have given me some pause at fourth overall, but I presume Columbus got the green light from their doctors to make this pick. I don’t know if he’s ever going to be the biggest point producer in the NHL, but Lindstrom brings a unique skill set that coaches will love and has the potential to help create an identity of a Columbus team that people hate to play against.
36. Charlie Elick, RHD, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
January 17, 2006 | 6′ 4″ | 203 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
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Player comparable: Braden Schneider
Analysis: Elick is a very intriguing pro prospect. He is one of the best skaters in the draft, with a smooth and powerful skating stride. When those feet are combined with his 6-3 frame, strong compete and a little mean streak, he has the potential to be a legit shutdown defenseman in the NHL. Elick isn’t a natural puck-mover and can make some questionable puck decisions. He will need to clean that up, but he has good hands and isn’t a negative with the puck on his stick. In a role where he just needs to defend well and make a basic outlet, he could potentially have an NHL career.
60. Evan Gardner, G, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
January 25, 2006 | 6′ 2″ | 174 pounds
Tier: Has a chance to play games
Skating: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Analysis: Gardner was excellent for Saskatoon as a WHL rookie coming out of midget hockey. He put up big numbers albeit not in a legit starting role. Gardner is a super smart goaltender. He is very efficient, calm and squares up a ton of pucks. He anticipates the opponents’ moves and passes very well. He has good enough quickness to make tough saves, although he doesn’t have the quick-twitch lower half you’d like to see in a smaller goalie.
86. Luca Marrelli, RHD, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
October 4, 2005 | 6′ 2″ | 185 pounds
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Marrelli was an important player for Oshawa this season, playing in all situations. He’s a strong-skating defenseman who can close on pucks defensively well and can attack with speed. Offensively he won’t be a dominant pro, but he has skill and creative playmaking in his game. Marrelli can activate off the blue line, create off the rush, has a good point shot and shows instincts to hit seams as well. He competes fine but isn’t overly physical and is average-sized. He lacks a clearly defined role in the NHL, even if he has a lot of positives. He has a real chance to play games.
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101. Tanner Henricks, RHD, Lincoln Stars (USHL)
July 25, 2006 | 6′ 4″ | 205 pounds
Analysis: Henricks is a 6-3 defenseman who skates well and, on his best shifts, can look like an NHL defenseman. Those best shifts are quite rare, though, as neither his puck game nor his defensive play stand out at the USHL level. He’s a long-term work in progress.
165. Luke Ashton, LHD, Langley Rivermen (BCHL)
January 21, 2005 | 6′ 5″ | 229 pounds
Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Ashton was one of the top defensemen in the BCHL during his second draft-eligible season. The athletic tools in his game are intriguing, especially for a defenseman who touched 20 goals this season. He’s quite mobile for 6-foot-6. His first step or two aren’t amazing, but he has NHL footspeed, which at his size is quite impressive. His puck play is OK. He can make the odd tough pass but he doesn’t see the ice well and is basic with the puck outside a hard point shot.
Beat writer’s analysis
It turns out the Blue Jackets were just getting started when they drafted 6-foot-4 center Cayden Lindstrom out of WHL Medicine Hat with the No. 4 pick.
If Columbus’ 2024 draft had a theme, it was the towering presence of most of the players. They made six selections and none of the skaters were under 6-foot-2. The final pick of the day was 6-foot-7, 231-pound defenseman Luke Ashton, who is headed to Minnesota State in the fall.
“Somebody texted me after the draft and said we drafted a basketball team,” Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell said.
After Lindstrom on Friday, the Jackets opened Saturday by taking 6-foot-4, 205-pound defenseman Charlie Elick from WHL Brandon at No. 36. They then traded up in the order to select 6-foot goaltender Evan Gardner from WHL Saskatoon.
They followed with 6-foot-2 defenseman Luca Marrelli from OHL Oshawa, 6-4 defensemen Tanner Henricks (cq) out of USHL Lincoln, and then Ashton. — Aaron Portzline
(Photo of Cayden Lindstrom with the Blue Jackets organization: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
