My First-Round 2022 Picks For Columbus Blue Jackets (6 and 12) 7/7/22

It's Draft Day 2022 5th Line!  It seemed like this was a long ways away just two months ago, now it's already time to add to our Columbus Blue Jackets/Cleveland Monsters!  It's an exciting day for the franchise, players, coaches, Jarmo Kekalainen, sports writers and especially the fans.  With that being said, here are my picks for Round One of the 2022 NHL Draft, tonight!  

Pick 6

Unless something shocking happens, which isn't unlike Kekalainen, we do have the 6th Overall Pick tonight.  I've read Facebook, Twitter, Listened to Skate Space with Jeff Svoboda and Dylan Tryer, CBJ In 30 with Bob McElligott and fans alike.  After doing so and also watching this team for 3 playoffs and 2 full NHL Season, I think what this team needs most is obvious, Center and Defender.  I'm not copying off anyone, at this point I feel this is just an obvious fact.  With that being said, I'm going to differ on some ideas I've read and seen because of a name I heard last night.  After hearing who he was, his build and so on, I think he should be our 6th Pick, not 12th.  Who?

Conner Geekie

Pure and simple, this young man is a Center who will be visible from every corner of the ice.  Last night he was mentioned by a fan on Skate Space, who went by Lil Bomber (giving credit where it is due) and he was curious as to why this man hadn't had more attention.  100% agree with him!  This man is 6'3 and nearly 200 Lb. (196 to be exact).  He could easily be 200 Lb. by the time the season starts however.  So, why take him over a Defenseman first?  Glad you asked.  His numbers are just unbelievable.  This man has more points than games played.  70 Points over 63 games, with 24 goals and a whopping 46 assists.  So yes, if everyone with Picks 1-5 skip on this player, no way would I pass up the chance to put him in a Blue Jacket or Monster Jersey.  No.  Way.  

Pick 12

This is a fun one for one reason, I thought it might have been traded by now, based on rumors at the end of the Blue Jackets Season.  For right now, we still have it.  Could a deal happen where we don't?  Sure.  However, as time ticks down today, I'm doubtful.  So, here is my Pick.  

Cutter Gauthier 

Yes, he's a Left Wing.  No, he isn't a Defender.  Before you close this and start commenting how dumb I sound, just listen to me.  Jeff Svoboda, Dylan Tryer and Bob McElligott were all raving about this player, after the Top Prospect Meet and Greet.  Bob McElligott went as far as posting a picture, wanting him at Pick 6, given he wasn't taken by another team with Picks 1-5.  I know it's a long shot he'll be available at Pick 12.  Also, I've really had a hard time with this, because I've switched Gauthier and Geekie around the last 12 hours.  With that being said, I'm running out of time to post this for you all to read, before going to the Draft Party tonight.  So, I'm going Geekie at Pick 6 and Gauthier at Pick 12.  Again, I know neither of these men are Defenders, I'll get to that after I wrap up my comments on Cutter Gauthier.  

Gauthier is a Left Wing, as I said above.  Again, he has more points than games played.  Points were 65 overall, while his games played are just 54.    Those points add up from 34 Goals and 31 assists.  Another great player, which leads me to wonder about the rumors about this Draft Class not being the strongest?  As I said in my post yesterday, we don't know how well these players will do until years from now.  Personally, I'd love for us to all look back in 2032 and go..."wow, we were so wrong, look at all the men who have championships and playoff appearances from this class, already!"  We'll see if I'm right, but if I am, remember I said this!  

Okay, I promised I'd address my desire to not take a Defenseman in Round 1.  First, there are a lot of Defenders on the 2022 NHL Draft List.  We can get one later on, who is likely amazing, no problem.  Second, if we really want to jump start this team's D-Line, we should look for men who have played a few years in the NHL.  We do have a big problem, we have too many Wingers.  A trade to gain another asset on the D-Line, by letting go of a Winger, is likely enviable.  I don't want to see anyone leave, but there is no way to avoid this, sorry.  Also, I know I took a Winger at Pick 12, I do.  To have someone like Cutter Gauthier in our mix though, I think will jump start the 2022-23 Offensive Season.  Last year our team scored the most goals in franchise history.  It's great, but that was also last year.  The momentum has to continue.  Further, I'd rather have Gauthier fighting for a spot on our roster, than fighting against us on another roster, just saying.  Keep in mind we also have Nick Blankenburg outstanding, without a contract still, which bugs me.  I'm just being honest.  Blankenburg proved himself, 7 games with a goal and 2 assists, straight out of college?  Come on, that's an easy sign, especially when our Defense is already down Dean Kukan who won't return.  Anyway, my end point here is that there are Defenders waiting on contracts and we can gain a Defender tomorrow or with a trade later on.  We don't have to panic about a Defender, the right one will come, if we don't already have him.  

So, we'll see what happens tonight 5th Line!  I for one can't wait to see what we do.  Jarmo Kekalainen is an exciting General Manager to watch.  Not only is he smart when it comes to the game of hockey, but he has the best intentions of furthering this team to be cup ready.  Winning Seasons are fun, playoffs are great, Columbus wants a cup.  It's the goal, has always been the goal and I'll be honest, there is something about this mix of men we have that makes me believe.  Yes, I always have.  However, I started when we had Foligno, Atkinson, both Jones men and many other great players.  I can't explain it, but there seems to be this vibe around the 2021-22 Columbus Blue Jackets.  A vib I can't wait to watch excel to their furthest potential in the 2022-23 Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL Season.  

Remember, if you won't be at the Draft Party tonight, ESPN has the Draft live.  Also, our guys Jeff Svoboda, Dylan Tryer and Bob McElligott will be on 97.1 The Fan, broadcasting live from the Bell Center in Montreal, Canada.  I'll have a full report and profile of each player we take, at both Pick 6 and Pick 12, right after it happens.  If you don't like my picks, tell me who you want?  If you agree with my picks I'd love to know why you like them, too?  

Be safe and have fun tonight.  Drink responsibly!          

Go CBJ!  

Source for Stats<    ESPN Staff, June 29, 2022 (https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/34162111/2022-nhl-draft-prospect-rankings-led-shane-wright-logan-cooley-juraj-slafkovsky)