The 32-in-32 Series is an annual event here at DobberProspects and has been condensed from two articles to one. The article will bring you: The highlighted team’s draft; insights into its off-season moves; looking at prospect risers, fallers and likely prospects to play NHL games; and of course, the writers’ top-20 prospects. Articles may be brought back when an important team update occurs, so check back because we plan to fill your hockey withdrawal needs all off-season!

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Read past 32 series stories here: https://dobberprospects.com/category/feature/32-in-32-series/

Make sure to check out the Columbus Blue Jackets team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/columbus-blue-jackets/

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The Columbus Blue Jackets are continuing to build one of the more intriguing young cores in the NHL, and the organization’s prospect pool received another boost at the 2026 NHL Draft. Columbus added seven players to its system, including first-round pick Oscar Hemming, while continuing to prioritize size, competitiveness, hockey sense and offensive upside.

The Blue Jackets also made several additions to their NHL roster this offseason, signing Ryan Lomberg and Phoenix Copley in free agency and acquiring Valeri Nichushkin via trade. While those moves provide Columbus with additional experience and depth at the NHL level, the organization’s long-term outlook remains heavily tied to the development of its young players.

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2026 NHL Draft

Oscar Hemming, 14th overall, Round 1

Columbus selected forward Hemming 14th overall, adding another big, physical forward with legitimate offensive upside to its prospect pool.

Hemming spent the 2025-26 season at Boston College, recording one goal and seven assists in 19 games. He brings size, physicality and a strong two-way game, while his hockey sense, net-front presence and scoring touch give him the potential to become a top-six contributor.

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Alessandro Di Iorio, 94th overall, Round 3

The Blue Jackets continued adding forwards in the later rounds, selecting Alessandro Di Iorio 94th overall. The Sarnia Sting centre plays with pace and creativity and has the offensive instincts to create chances in tight areas. His competitiveness should fit well within Columbus’ organizational identity.

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Evan Jardine, 121st overall, Round 4

At 121st overall, Columbus selected Evan Jardine from the Youngstown Phantoms. Jardine is a well-rounded forward who plays with pace and consistently stays involved in the game. His motor, versatility and ability to contribute at both ends of the ice give him an intriguing developmental profile.

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Parker Snell, 142nd overall, Round 5

The Blue Jackets then addressed the crease by selecting Parker Snell 142nd overall. The Edmonton Oil Kings goaltender posted a 2.74 goals-against average and .895 save percentage in 33 games during the 2025-26 season. His athleticism and ability to make difficult saves give him some long-term upside, although patience will be required with his development.

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Anttoni Uronen, 182nd overall, Round 6

Columbus selected Finnish centre Anttoni Uronen 182nd overall. Uronen saw first-line minutes with HIFK during the 2025-26 season before an injury interrupted his campaign. He also served as an alternate captain for Finland at the 2026 U18 World Championship, scoring in Finland’s opening game against Norway.

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Jonas Woo at 185th overall, Round 6

The Blue Jackets used their next pick on Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Jonas Woo at 185th overall. Woo is an offensive-minded defenceman who likes to put the puck on net and plays with physicality. There is still plenty of development ahead, but his puck skills give him an opportunity to become a depth option down the road.

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Filip Novak, 206th overall, Round 7

Columbus finished its draft by selecting left winger Filip Novak 206th overall. Novak plays with pace and a direct, attack-minded style, showing an ability to create chances off the rush while remaining engaged physically.

Overall, Columbus’ draft continued a trend that has become increasingly evident throughout the organization’s recent drafts: adding size and competitiveness without sacrificing skill.

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Off-season Moves

Incoming 

Ryan Lomberg — 2 years, $1.3 million

Phoenix Copley — 1 year, $850k

Valeri Nichushkin — 4 years remaining, $6.13 million 

Outgoing

Boone Jenner 

Mason Marchment 

Re-signed

Cole Sillinger — 3 year, $4.625 million 

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In the System

Risers

Luca Pinelli

Pinelli is probably the clearest riser in Columbus’ prospect pool after his first professional season. The 2023 second-round pick made the jump to the AHL and immediately established himself as one of Cleveland’s better offensive players, recording 14 goals and 46 points in 71 games. He also earned his first taste of NHL action, appearing in three games. His combination of hockey sense, competitiveness and offensive ability has put him firmly in the conversation as one of Columbus’ most NHL-ready prospects.

Evan Gardner

Gardner took another step forward in his development and has emerged as one of the more interesting goaltending prospects in the organization. His continued progression gives Columbus another potential long-term option in the crease alongside higher-profile prospects Pyotr Andreyanov and Sergei Ivanov. Goaltenders often require more patience than skaters, but Gardner’s development has made him a name worth watching closely.

William Whitelaw

Whitelaw continues to look like an intriguing offensive prospect for Columbus. His skill, pace and ability to create offense give him legitimate upside, and another year of development has helped solidify his place among the organization’s more interesting forward prospects. He may still have work to do before becoming an NHL option, but his offensive toolkit gives him plenty of room to climb this list.

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Fallers

Andrew Strathmann

Strathmann is a difficult player to label a true “faller” because there is still plenty of time for him to develop. However, the depth of Columbus’ defensive prospect pool has made his path to the NHL more difficult. With players such as Jackson Smith, Charlie Elick and Luca Marrelli ahead of him, Strathmann has been pushed further down the organizational depth chart. His move to Quinnipiac gives him an important opportunity to regain some momentum and establish himself as a legitimate professional prospect.

Jordan Dumais

Dumais is another prospect whose stock has slipped primarily because of circumstances rather than a lack of talent. Injuries have significantly interrupted his development, limiting him to 46 AHL games and 18 points in 2025-26. His offensive skill remains intriguing, but other prospects — particularly Pinelli — have made significant strides while Dumais has struggled to stay on the ice. A healthy 2026-27 season could go a long way toward reversing that trend.

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Likely to See NHL Action

Luca Del Bel Belluz is the most obvious name to watch here. The 2022 second-round pick took another step forward with the Cleveland Monsters in 2025-26, recording 22 goals and 58 points in 55 games. He also appeared in 14 NHL games. His production and experience make him one of the organization’s most NHL-ready prospects. 

Luca Pinelli is another player who could see more NHL action. Pinelli had an excellent first AHL season, recording 14 goals and 46 points and finishing seventh among AHL rookies in scoring. He also made his NHL debut, appearing in three games. His hockey IQ, competitiveness and scoring ability make him an intriguing option for Columbus. 

Jordan Dumais remains another potential candidate, although his path has been complicated by injuries. Columbus continues to view the smaller winger as an intriguing offensive prospect, and a healthy season could put him back in the NHL conversation. 

Top 20 Prospects

This section is intended to paint a picture of the Columbus Blue Jackets prospects whose current trajectory projects them making the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL. Arrival date and NHL certainty have been taken into consideration; however, potential upside is the most important factor in determining this list.

1. Luca Del Bel Belluz, C
2. Cayden Lindstrom, C
3. Oscar Hemming, LW
4. Jackson Smith, D
5. Luca Pinelli, F
6. Pyotr Andreyanov, G
7. Evan Gardner, G
8. Jordan Dumais, RW
9. Sergei Ivanov, G
10. Charlie Elick, D
11. William Whitelaw, RW
12. Jonas Woo, D
13. Luca Marrelli, D
14. Tanner Henricks, D
15. Corson Ceulemans, D
16. Owen Griffin, F
17. James Malatesta, LW
18. Malte Vass, D
19. Oiva Keskinen, C
20. Andrew Strathmann, D

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Final Thoughts

The Blue Jackets’ prospect pool has a little bit of everything. There are high-upside forwards, potential top-four defensemen and an increasingly interesting collection of goaltenders.

What makes Columbus particularly intriguing is the variety within the pool. Del Bel Belluz and Pinelli are approaching NHL readiness, while Lindstrom, Smith and Hemming represent longer-term upside. Behind them, Columbus has continued to add depth and different player types throughout the draft.

There is still plenty of development ahead, but Columbus has built a prospect pool capable of supporting its young NHL core for years to come. The next step will be determining which of these prospects can turn potential into NHL production.

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Make sure to check out the Columbus Blue Jackets team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/columbus-blue-jackets/

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Jayd Serdy
Sports Journalist | Copy Editor
Seattle, WA
Portfolio: https://jaydserdy.my.canva.site/js
X/Twitter: @jaayddd