Columbus Blue Jackets' top 3 prospects to watch out for in 2024/25 season

The Columbus Blue Jackets are in the midst of a rebuild but the team does have some star prospects coming up. Entering the 2024–25 NHL season, Columbus will likely see some prospects leap to full-time NHL players next season.

Here are three Blue Jackets prospects to watch out for next season.

Columbus Blue Jackets' top 3 prospects to watch out for

#1. Denton Mateychuk

Denton Mateychuk is the Columbus Blue Jackets' top prospect. The defenseman was drafted 12th overall in the 2022 NHL draft.

Mateychuk skated in 52 games in the WHL last season, recording 17 goals and 58 assists for 75 points.

“He’s very poised,” Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said, via NHL.com. “You can see his hockey sense is off the charts. The way he passes the puck is like an NHL player... I'm pretty strict about making sure we do the right thing for these young players. It's not so bad if he starts the year in the American League.”

Mateychuk could break camp with the Blue Jackets.

#2. Cayden Lindstrom

Cayden Lindstrom was selected fourth overall in the 2024 NHL draft, but he will have to beat others to prove he belongs in the NHL. Lindstrom may get an invite to the NHL camp, but whether or not he makes the team is to be seen.

“That’s got to be everyone's mindset who's coming to an NHL training camp,” Blue Jackets director of player development Rick Nash said via NHL.com.

“If you come with the mindset that you'll be back in juniors or back in the minors in a few weeks, then you're probably never going to reach your full potential.”

Lindstrom could get to play at least a couple of games in the NHL before the team decides whether to retain him.

#3. Gavin Brindley

Gavin Brindley was selected 34th overall in the 2023 NHL draft and after Michigan's college season ended, he turned pro and appeared in one game for the Blue Jackets.

Brindley may play in the AHL next season for the most part, but the forward should get to play at least some games in the NHL.