The Columbus Blue Jackets Will Pick at this Number in the 1st Round of the 2026 NHL Draft

June 26th, the Columbus Blue Jackets will pick 14th overall in Round 1 of the 2026 NHL Draft. Personally, although the pick number is important, I care more that we have Rick Bowness locked in as head coach next season. It will be nice watching our general manager, Don Waddell, have a head coach from the start of the offseason who witnessed what worked and didn't work last season. The two clearly work well together and have a shared vision of where this team needs to go. If they didn't, Rick wouldn't be coming back! Our returning head coach will have a hand in players being signed back to the team, for those needing new contracts or extensions, as well as who we will pick in the draft. He's already had a say in coaching changes, too. I can't wait to see how Don Waddell and Rick Bowness use this pick and the offseason to shape the future of our Columbus Blue Jackets. For the highs after Rick arrived, there was a crash and burn low towards the end of the season. I want to see this team learn and grow from both situations, and build to become the team Columbus knows they can be. I love that the front office has already begun the work to make it happen. 

GO CBJ!   

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