2023 NHL Draft: Columbus Blue Jackets Day Two Recap

Round 2, 34th – Gavin Brindley

Position: C/RW
Team: University of Michigan (NCAA)
Date of Birth: October 5, 2004
Birthplace: Estero, FL
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 168 lbs
Shoots: R
Highest rank: 9th (Smaht Scouting)
Lowest rank: 40th (Craig Button)

2022-23 stats: 41GP 12-26-38

“…he was a great dangerous shot generator and facilitated play extremely well as he earned the second line starting center role on one of the best teams in college hockey. When Fantilli was brought on his line he was able to showcase being a facilitator to two great shooters, and he was rewarded with a positive regression in his point production. He has tremendous awareness on the ice and his ability to read plays and position himself offensively and defensively to continuously make an impact won over my adoration.” –  Smaht Scouting

Brindley adds to the ever growing list of Michigan players in the Columbus pipeline. Brindley played both the center and right wing positions in Michigan and even spent time on a line with fellow Blue Jacket prospect Adam Fantilli (typing that makes me happy). There was an obvious trend with the first two Columbus picks – high-motor, two-way, center capable players. He’s likely to return to Michigan next season.

Round 3, 66th – William Whitelaw

Position: C/RW
Team: Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
Date of Birth: February 5, 2005
Birthplace: Rosemont, Minnesota
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 174 lbs
Shoots: R
Highest rank: 23rd (Smaht Scouting)
Lowest rank: 76th (multiple)

2022-23 stats: 62GP 36-25-61

“William Whitelaw blends plus-level skating, blistering mental pace, and a triple-threat scoring profile to generate offence at will. Whitelaw is most effective as a finisher, with an adaptable, deceptive, and potent set of releases fit for any situation. Wrist shots, slap shots, one-times, catch-and-release – he can send them all on net and beat goaltenders clean from range. He’s also an efficient distributor, capable of setting up highly difficult passing plays with deception and connecting with his linemates with relative ease.” – EliteProspects

The Blue Jackets are continuing the trend of picking up boom or bust picks in later rounds. Whitelaw has all the makings of an offensive talent that could find himself in a top six role if all of the stars align. He will be heading to the University of Wisconsin this fall.

Round 4, 98th – Andrew Strathmann

Position: D
Team: Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
Date of Birth: February 27, 2005
Birthplace: Beach Park, Illinois
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 187 lbs
Shoots: L
Highest rank: 53rd (Smaht Scouting)
Lowest rank: 79th (Bob McKenzie)

2022-23 stats: 56GP 3-35-38

“Strathmann is a creative offensive defenseman who may activate more frequently in the offensive zone than any other 2023 eligible defender. His creativity and evasiveness form the basis of his offensive game. He’s a slightly above-average skater who handles the puck quite well… He’s a very raw prospect but he’s off to a good program at the University of North Dakota and if his tools, scanning, and decision-making can take a significant leap, he could develop into a valuable second-pairing offensive defenseman, which makes him an interesting swing on upside outside the top-64.” – Dobber Prospects

Yet another Columbus prospect heading to the NCAA (North Dakota) and another boom or bust type pick. With the defensive cupboard as full as it is, why not take a big swing?

Round 4, 114th – Luca Pinelli

Position: C
Team: Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
Date of Birth: April 5, 2005
Birthplace: Stoney Creek, Ontario
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 168 lbs
Shoots: L
Highest rank: 37th (Smaht Scouting)
Lowest rank: 86th (Craig Button)

2022-23 stats: 67GP 29-34-63

“When I evaluate Luca, I see way too many of the desirable essential elements that I am looking for in a prospect that could fill a valuable role in a lineup. The work rate, tenacity, puck possession mindset, playmaking, hockey sense, finishing, and craftiness, Luca has it all. With all these tools to combine and build upon, there is everything there for Pinelli to develop into a quality middle-six winger.” – Smaht Scouting

Round 5, 156th – Melvin Strahl

Position: G
Team: MoDo Hockey J20 (Sweden Jr.)
Date of Birth: March 18, 2005
Birthplace: Solleftea, Sweden
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 165 lbs
Catches: L
Highest rank: unranked

2022-23 stats: 23GP .883 SV%

Goalie! See you in 2030, Melvin!

Round 7, 194th – Oiva Keskinen

Position: C
Team: Tappara U20 (Finland Jr.)
Date of Birth:
Birthplace: Ylöjärvi, Finland
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 181 lbs
Shoots: L
Highest Rank: 125th (EU Skaters – NHL Central Scouting)
Lowest Rank: unranked

2022-23 stats: 38GP 20-21-41

Round 7, 224th – Tyler Peddle

Position: LW
Team: Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
Date of Birth: January 28, 2005
Birthplace: Antigonish, Nova Scotia
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 205 lbs
Shoots: L
Highest Rank: 63rd (Dobber Prospects)
Lowest Rank: unranked

2022-23 stats: 64GP 24-17-41

“A sniper seemingly incapable to scoring at a high rate in the QMJHL is often a red flag, but Peddle may be an exception. The jewel of his toolkit is his shot. He generates tremendous power and can shoot from a variety of positions with a versatile set of releases. In the offensive zone, he is in constant motion, varying his angles of attack and searching for soft ice with strong scanning habits. While he is a shoot-first player, Peddle is a very effective short-range passer. He may not be a playmaker, but he is more than capable of executing quick passes under heavy pressure to maintain possession and progress the run of play. His physical frame is a good one, and he does well to establish inside positioning in puck races and in and around the slot.” – Dobber Prospects

I had to edit this article because the Blue Jackets traded their 2024 7th to Vegas for the last pick in the draft. Peddle was ranked as high as the second round and sat around Bridgestone Arena for 223 picks before hearing his name. Welcome to Columbus, Tyler!

What do you think? Does this look like a successful day two for the Blue Jackets?