NHL
There have been a lot of dark days in Columbus and a lot of versions of their perpetual rebuild. Finally, though, there may be a way for them to be a consistent playoff team. The Blue Jackets’ NHL roster is solid, led by a ton of highly gifted young players at a variety of positions. Adam Fantilli is the key to it all. If he becomes the star I think he could be, the Blue Jackets could finally deliver a winner to their patient fans.
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2024 ranking: 4
2025 NHL Draft grade: B-
1. Adam Fantilli, C
Oct. 12, 2004 | 6-foot-2 | 198 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 3 in 2023
Tier: NHL All-Star
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: High-end
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: High-end
Analysis: Fantilli took positive steps in his second NHL season, highlighted by hitting the 30-goal mark. He’s had ups and downs to start his career, but he has the makings of a future star. He’s got a huge frame, skates well and competes hard. He wins a lot of battles, will lay into opponents and gets to the net to create offense. He has excellent hands, often beating defenders with his one-on-one play, and the pace at which he can get by players can break open shifts. His playmaking isn’t the main thing that gets you excited about his game, but Fantilli can make difficult passes. He’s more of a goal scorer, with an excellent wrist shot that can and has beaten NHL goalies from range.
2. Kent Johnson, LW
Oct. 18, 2002 | 6-foot-1 | 168 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 5 in 2021
Tier: Top of the lineup player
Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: High-end
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Johnson took major steps forward this season, becoming a very important part of Columbus’ offense. He’s a player with truly dynamic offensive touch. He has elite hands, beats defensemen one-on-one at a high rate and has the ability to create chances out of nothing. He can make consistently difficult plays to others and has a good shot from range. The pure athletic tools in his game aren’t amazing. He has average size and foot speed, isn’t overly physical and plays too much on the outside. The pure puck game will allow him to score a lot and play high in a lineup with potential star upside, even if his style of play will frustrate coaches at times.
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3. Jackson Smith, D
May 13, 2007 | 6-foot-3 | 190 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 14 in 2025
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Smith is a 6-foot-3 defenseman who skates quite well. He’s funky-looking at times, going 10-2 with his edges a bit too much, but he’s a powerful, fluid skater who can easily get by checkers and skate pucks up ice. Smith often tries to attack with his skill and can break down players one-on-one easily. Smith’s decision-making isn’t the best at times, and I wouldn’t call him a natural playmaker, but he creates a lot of offense and has a good point shot. Defensively, he’s decent due to his frame and feet, and when he’s leaning into checks, he can be a two-way force. His defensive play is inconsistent, in part because he’s often up in the attack, but he has the potential to be a top-four defenseman who can play on both special teams.
4. Cayden Lindstrom, C
Feb. 3, 2006 | 6-foot-4 | 214 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 4 in 2024
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: High-end
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Lindstrom missed almost the entire season due to a back injury and corresponding surgery, but he came back right at the very end of Medicine Hat’s playoff run. When healthy, he’s an elite athlete. He has the quick-twitch feet of a smaller forward who could blow by NHL 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, though. He projects as a highly likable top-two-line forward who can be a playoff-style player, even if he’s not a for-sure center in the NHL.
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5. Cole Sillinger, C
May 16, 2003 | 6-foot-2 | 203 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 12 in 2021
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: High-end
Analysis: Sillinger had his best season in the NHL to date. He played a lot of minutes, including on both special teams, for Columbus. Sillinger is a skilled center who can provide offense, but what makes him truly appealing is his compete. He plays with an edge and isn’t afraid to throw around his body. He creates offense at the net and is responsible off the puck. He has a scoring touch, even if the natural offense in his game is a minor question in terms of whether he’ll be a big-time scorer who makes a ton of plays. His foot speed is also not great. He’s a player coaches will want to play a lot due to his compete and could be a great long-term second-line center.
6. Denton Mateychuk, D
July 12, 2004 | 5-foot-11 | 185 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 12 in 2022
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: High-end
Analysis: Mateychuk impressed in his first pro season. He stood out in the AHL and quickly earned a call-up to Columbus, where he stuck. He’s an excellent skater, with clear NHL edge work and speed to be able to skate pucks up ice at the top level, evade pressure and close on checks. Mateychuk is a skilled puck handler who makes a lot of tough plays at full flight. I wouldn’t call him a true top-tier playmaker, but he projects to get his points in the NHL due to having enough skill and sense and a big point shot. He gives a good effort, and with his feet he should be a competent defender as a pro, even though he’s on the smaller side. Mateychuk projects as a top-four defenseman.
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7. Luca Marrelli, D
Oct. 4, 2005 | 6-foot-2 | 185 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 86 in 2024
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 one of the top defensemen in the OHL this season and was the second leading scorer in the OHL playoffs. He’s a strong skating defenseman who can close on pucks defensively well and is able to attack with speed. Offensively, he has very good skill and 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.
8. Pyotr Andreyanov, G
Jan. 22, 2007 | 6-feet-2 | 207 pounds | Catches left
Drafted: No. 20 in 2025
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Analysis: Andreyanov has outstanding quickness in his lower half. He makes a ton of highlight-reel-type saves due to his athleticism plus his compete level. He never seems like he’s out of a play due to his effort. Andreyanov is also a good technical goalie who can make smooth, efficient saves with good reads. NHL teams’ only concern with him will be his size. He’s a small goalie by NHL standards, and will need to prove he’s not just very talented but especially talented to be an NHL goalie. I’ve seen enough flashes of special to think he could be a backup in the league.
9. Luca Del Bel Belluz, C
Nov. 10, 2003 | 6-foot-1 | 185 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 44 in 2022
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Below NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
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Analysis: Del Bel Belluz had a great second pro season, which earned him a lengthy call-up to the NHL level. He’s a talented center with high-level skill and vision to make a lot of plays inside the offensive zone and run a power play. He has the puck game to play in the NHL, but his iffy foot speed and tendency to shy away from physical play will make it tough for him to get a full-time NHL job.
10. Kirill Dolzhenkov, RW
April 20, 2004 | 6-foot-6 | 223 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 109 in 2022
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: Poor
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Dolzhenkov has a unique toolkit with his massive 6-6 frame to go with strong offensive skills. There aren’t a lot of big guys who can dangle like he can, to go with being a legit goal-scoring threat from range. Dolzhenkov doesn’t shy from using his big body as well in terms of physical play. He’s quite slow, and if he misses, it will likely be due to his skating. There’s a lot in his game that makes me think he will be a good pro with a real chance to play NHL games in a bottom six.
There are some legit pro talents among this group of names. Charlie Elick is huge, physical and mobile, but his puck play is a major question. The same goes to an extent for 2021 first-round pick Corson Ceulemans. Evan Gardner is a technically sound and quick goalie who’s been good in the WHL but isn’t the tallest netminder.
Corson Ceulemans, D
May 5, 2003 | 6-foot-2 | 198 pounds | Shoots right | Drafted: No. 25 in 2021
Jordan Dumais, RW
April 15, 2004 | 5-foot-9 | 174 pounds | Shoots right | Drafted: No. 96 in 2022
Charlie Elick, D
Jan. 17, 2006 | 6-foot-4 | 203 pounds | Shoots right | Drafted: No. 36 in 2024
Evan Gardner, G
Jan. 25, 2006 | 6-foot-1 | 176 pounds | Catches left | Drafted: No. 60 in 2024
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Sergei Ivanov, G
April 3, 2004 | 6-feet | 157 pounds | Catches left | Drafted: No. 138 in 2022
Oiva Keskinen, C
Feb. 28, 2004 | 6-feet | 181 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 194 in 2023
Luca Pinelli, C
April 5, 2005 | 5-foot-9 | 168 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 114 in 2023
Stanislav Svozil, D
Jan. 17, 2003 | 6-feet | 181 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 69 in 2021
Malte Vass, D
March 28, 2007 | 6-foot-2 | 194 pounds | Shoots left | Drafted: No. 76 in 2025
* Listed in alphabetical order
Player eligibility: All skaters who are 22 years old or younger as of Sept. 15, 2025, regardless of how many NHL games they’ve played, are eligible. Player heights and weights are taken from the NHL.
Tool grades: Tool grades are based on a scale with six separate levels, with an eye toward how this attribute would grade in the NHL (poor, below-average, average, above-average, high-end and elite). “Average” on this scale means the tool projects as NHL average, which is meant as a positive, not a criticism. Skating, puck skills, hockey sense and compete for every projected NHL player are graded. Shot grades are only included if a shot is notably good or poor.
Tier definitions: Tiers are meant to show roughly where in an average NHL lineup a player projects to slot in.
(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic. Photo: Kirk Irwin / Getty Images)
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Corey Pronman is the senior NHL prospects writer for The Athletic. Previously, Corey worked in a similar role at ESPN. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreypronman
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