When the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs concluded on Wednesday night, the Columbus Blue Jackets officially settled into their slot in the NHL Draft.
The Blue Jackets will be selecting 24th in the upcoming draft, between the Arizona Coyotes (who got their pick via trade with the Minnesota Wild) and the Montreal Canadiens.
This is the lowest original draft slot the Blue Jackets have ever held in the first round.
While their first round loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins may still sting, the Blue Jackets will have plenty of options from their spot in the draft. There's that expansion draft thing coming up, too.
Past players selected in the 24th slot include: T.J. Oshie (by Jarmo Kekalainen when he headed up St. Louis' drafting), Alexander Steen, Mike Richards, Marcus Johansson and Kevin Hayes -- and that is only since 2000. Plenty of other players in the years prior provided impact, as well.
The 2017 NHL Draft takes place at the United Center in Chicago on June 23-24.
(h/t Habs EOTP and CBJ Prospects)
