The Blue Jackets concluded the 2025 NHL Draft on Saturday afternoon with six new players, including a trio of choices in the first 76 picks in the opening three rounds. But to the team’s decision makers, they left with three of the top 14 players in the draft.

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell was thwarted in his trade efforts at the NHL Draft. So, he drafted. And he said that was fine.

The Columbus Blue Jackets came into night one of the 2025 NHL Draft armed with multiple first-round picks, and many thought that Don Waddell would trade both of those picks. But it wasn't because they thought he would,