Columbus Blue Jackets’ 2023 Draft Lottery Scenarios

It cannot be emphasized enough just how tough of a season this was for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Their first season after signing Johnny Gaudreau was derailed early by injuries of an unprecedented level. They had over 500 man games lost across the 82-game season, which averages to about 24 games lost per player across a 23-man roster. Ouch.

Their play reflected that as they raced for the bottom of the standings, finishing in the penultimate position. One of the few benefits of such an abysmal season is the ability to select high in the NHL Entry Draft. The draft lottery is just around the corner, on May 8, and the anticipation has intensified with so many high-caliber players at the top of the 2023 draft class.

Related: 2023 NHL Draft Guide

For the Blue Jackets, there are four scenarios based on how the balls fall on Monday, with them picking in any slot from first to fourth overall. We’re going to have a look at each of those scenarios, the likelihood of each happening, according to Tankathon, and who they’re likely to draft in those slots.

Win 1st Overall Draft Lottery

Let’s look at the first scenario, which is: If the Blue Jackets win the first draft lottery, they will be picking first overall. This scenario has a 13.5% chance of happening.

Guaranteed Pick – Connor Bedard

So, let’s talk about Connor Bedard. There’s no overstating it: He is the most important prospect to be drafted since Connor McDavid.

The youngster set pretty much every important record to be set at the World Junior Hockey Championships for Canada this year in a dominating performance. He nearly willed his Regina Pats single-handedly to the second round of the playoffs after the most productive season the Western Hockey League (WHL) has seen since 1995-96. He is a game-breaker.

One of my favorite Bedard stories comes from his early teens. He was playing a game and got hit into the boards, breaking his right wrist. Instead of doing what every other kid would do and sitting out for the three months that it would take to heal, he continued to play and only used his left hand on his stick. Working on shooting and passing with only his top hand has to have had some effect on the wicked backhander he now possesses.

This is a player with a dedication level surpassed by few. His shot is compared to Auston Matthews’ and his skating is said to be McDavid-like. TSN’s Craig Button says he is already looked at as the third-best…