Day 1 of the 2025 NHL Draft saw the Columbus Blue Jackets navigate a decentralized draft environment, make a couple of key selections, and engage in trade talks. Here are three takeaways from their Friday night.

1. Adding Size and Skill on Defense with Jackson Smith

With the 14th overall pick, the Blue Jackets selected defenseman Jackson Smith from the Tri-City Americans of the WHL. Smith, a towering presence at almost 6-foot-4, is known for his strong skating and puck-moving abilities. He tallied 11 goals and 54 points in 68 games, showcasing his offensive potential from the blue line.

Analysts see significant upside in Smith due to his athletic profile. He defends well, utilizing his skating and reach to close gaps and disrupt rushes. While some question his hockey sense and decision-making under pressure, his physical tools are undeniable. The Blue Jackets have focused on bolstering their defensive pipeline in recent drafts, and Smith adds another promising prospect to their system. His selection was viewed as a slight surprise by some, as he was projected to go later in the first round. However, Columbus clearly valued his combination of size, mobility, and offensive capabilities. He is committed to Penn State, which should allow him to further refine his game.

2. Betting on Potential in Goal with Pyotr Andreyanov

The Blue Jackets used their second first-round pick, No. 20 overall (acquired from Minnesota in the David Jiricek trade), to select Russian goaltender Pyotr Andreyanov from CSKA Moskva's junior team. This pick was somewhat unexpected, as many anticipated Joshua Ravensbergen would be the choice. However, the Blue Jackets opted for Andreyanov, who they apparently had ranked highest among goaltending prospects.

Andreyanov boasts impressive stats from the MHL, with a 23-6-6 record, a 1.75 goals-against average, and a .942 save percentage. He's described as an athletic and aggressive goalie with excellent technical abilities. While not the biggest goalie at 6-foot-2, his quickness and skating allow him to challenge shooters effectively. The Blue Jackets clearly believe in Andreyanov's long-term potential, adding him to a goaltending prospect pool that includes Evan Gardner and Sergei Ivanov. Some analysts have compared him to a young Sergei Bobrovsky.

3. Trade Winds and the Pursuit of a Top-Pair Defenseman

Leading up to the draft, the Blue Jackets were actively exploring trade options to improve their roster. General Manager Don Waddell acknowledged receiving offers for both first-round picks and expressing interest in moving up. The team's primary focus was on acquiring a top-pair right-handed defenseman to play alongside Zach Werenski.

The Blue Jackets were reportedly in the mix for New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson but ultimately bowed out due to the high cost in assets and contract demands. They were also linked to Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson. Ultimately, no major trades materialized for Columbus on Day 1. Waddell admitted that the decentralized draft format made it more challenging to complete deals. Despite the lack of a blockbuster trade, the Blue Jackets added two high-potential prospects to their organization. The team holds several more picks in the later rounds of the draft and will continue to explore trade opportunities to bolster their roster.