12 Blue Jackets’ Draft Options at 12th Overall

Welcome back to our ongoing series on the Columbus Blue Jackets and the offseason. Last time, we looked at six potential options for them with the sixth overall pick. Today, we shift our focus to the 12th overall pick.

This one will be much harder to pin down from a Blue Jackets’ standpoint. Several factors are in play including who the first 11 prospects taken are coupled with the master list the team developed. About the only thing we can say safely at this time is that the 12th overall pick will not be a goalie.

Related: 6 Blue Jackets’ Draft Options At Sixth Overall

However the Blue Jackets are primed to take their best player available from their list with this pick. Position only matters to them in the event there is a tie. Otherwise they have no issue taking a second forward or a second defenseman with their second first-round pick.

For this piece we are going to assume they keep the pick. I do not expect to them to trade up unless it’s a deal too good to pass up. And there is a chance they would consider trading down if the right team calls with the right deal. But for my money, I’m expecting the team to use the 12th pick themselves.

This is also the point in the draft where team’s lists will start to look much different from each other. This opens up many possibilities including players being picked that some teams have outside their first round. There is some chatter out there that this draft will be unpredictable in that regard.

Let’s dive into our list. Here are 12 prospects that I could see the Blue Jackets having interest in with the 12th pick of the 2022 NHL Draft. Note: I will not repeat a name mentioned from the sixth-overall piece. Each would be quality adds with the 12th pick. This list will include 12 different names. These are in no particular order.

12 Options With 12th Overall Pick

Conor Geekie

You can’t teach 6-foot-4. While Geekie has some questions surrounding him about his upside, the Blue Jackets would love to add a big center to the mix who has flashes of offense.

Jonathan Lekkerimaki

Known as one of the best finishers in the draft, Lekkerimaki’s shot is elite and would make for a dynamic offensive weapon on any team. Put him with an elite center and watch out.

Brad Lambert

The questions with Lambert are many. But the thing you can’t question is his speed. He is perhaps the fastest skater in this draft. Add that to…