Columbus Blue Jackets 2015 Draft Recap
Columbus Blue Jackets - 1st Round (8th Overall): LHD Zach Werenski (Michigan, B-10)
Name: 
Zach Werenski
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left
Height/Weight: 6’2, 206 lbs
Born: July 19, 1997, Grosse Pointe, MI
Central Scouting Rankings (Prelim/Mid/Final): ”A“/ 6th NA/ 9th NA
Summary: Werenski is an offensive catalyst for a Michigan team that was far from devoid of offensive playmakers. He is an excellent puck handler and decision maker with the puck on his stick, providing a calming presence and poise, especially when his mates are forcing plays. It says a lot when a coach like Red Berenson hands the keys to the proverbial Cadillac to his most inexperienced underclassman. Be that as it may, Werenski’s greatest attributes are actually skating and shooting. In terms of covering ground while displaying a imposing silouhette, no draft eligible defenseman can offer what he can. There is always something impressive about a defenseman with size who can skate. What separates Werenski from the pack is that he’s going to get bigger and faster as he develops. He features a very hard shot with a quick release, relying on little to no backswing to accurately deliver the puck on net with velocity. Same goes with his passing — hard, tape-to-tape passer and can do it flat footed, fading away or motoring up the ice.
Columbus Blue Jackets - 1st Round (29th Overall): LHD Gabriel Carlsson (Linkopings, SHL)
Name: Gabriel Carlsson
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left
Height/Weight: 6’2, 183 lbs
Born: January 2, 1997, Orebro, Sweden
Central Scouting Rankings (Prelim/Mid/Final): ”B“/ 6th Eur / 2nd Eur
Summary: Carlsson has shown the ability to advance undetected into the circles and make smart plays once the puck is on his stick. He’s a pretty good passer and quick to make the right decision when given the opportunity. His dedication to defending his position is part of his upbringing within the Swedish system, but mostly due to fellow blueliners who were specifically tasked to push forward, leaving Carlsson as one of the reliables staying behind. In other words, the kid has the ability to create offense, and it’s going to be up to the drafting organization to groom him as a two-way threat. It’s hard to tell whether his future in the NHL will be as that kind of option, but at worst, Carlsson is a rock-solid positional defender who can be counted on to stand up and makes plays at his own blue line.
Columbus Blue Jackets - 2nd Round (38th Overall): LW Paul Bittner (Portland, WHL)
Name: Paul Bitner
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Height/Weight: 6’4, 204 lbs
Born: November 4, 1996, Crookston, MN
Central Scouting Rankings (Prelim/Mid/Final): ”A“/ 19th NA/ 26th NA
Summary: Blessed with a soft set of hands, the Minnesota native is adept at the possession game due to the way engulfs the puck and his keen vision. He’s actually a pretty good passer for a guy with a reputation as a sniper, sometimes to the point of being too unselfish. When he’s engaged, Bittner is strong on his feet and uses his physicality to get to the net and stay there. His instincts in the tough areas near the crease are excellent; few are better than Bittner at corralling missed shots off the end boards while maintaining his position near the net. He plays a smart game, but tends to lose focus when the play isn’t happening in the offensive end. This is a common trait of skilled power forwards — they feel that the only way they can be effective is with the puck heading in one direction. With that, he can look disinterested as times. Nevertheless, his lethal shot and ability to get open where he can fire it makes him an excellent option.
Columbus Blue Jackets - 2nd Round (58th Overall): C Kevin Stenlund (HV-71, SHL)
Name: Kevin Stenlund
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Height/Weight: 6’3, 205 lbs
Born: September 20, 1996, Huddinge, SWE
Central Scouting Rankings (Prelim/Mid/Final): ”B“/ 57th Eur/ 21st Eur
Summary: Power center with size who plays a reliable game. You just wish he provided more offense. Finished top-40 in scoring in Sweden’s SuperElit and had 17 games of SHL experience. Upside is likely a hard-working. 3rd line checker.
Columbus Blue Jackets - 3rd Round (69th Overall): RW Keegan Kolesar (Seattle, WHL)
Name: Keegan Kolesar
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Height/Weight: 6’1, 217 lbs
Born: April 8, 1997, Brandon, MB
Central Scouting Rankings (Prelim/Mid/Final): NR/ 94th NA/ 65th NA
Summary: Kolesar is a powder keg who progressed marvelously until a broken arm late in the season. He can play mean, tough, and smart, and is a very dependable role player. This guy can change the momentum of a game with one shift.
Columbus Blue Jackets - 5th Round (129th Overall): LHD Sam Ruopp (Prince George, WHL)
Name: Sam Ruopp
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left
Height/Weight: 6’4, 179 lbs
Born: June 3, 1996, Regina, SK
Central Scouting Rankings (Prelim/Mid/Final): NR/ 135th NA/ 127th NA
Summary: Reactive defensive defensemen who plays with snarl and is a very strong competitor. Ruopp’s ability to read plays while backing into his own end is a strong part of his game. He’s quick enough on his feet to effectively react to puck movement, and his smarts and long reach enables him to break up plays before his blue line. Offensively, he doesn’t provide you with much, so at this point he’s a long-term bottom-pairing project.
Columbus Blue Jackets - 5th Round (141st Overall): RHD Veeti Vainio (Blues, Finland)
Name: Veeti Vainio
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right
Height/Weight: 6’2, 169 lbs
Born: June 16, 1997, Espoo, Finland
Central Scouting Rankings (Prelim/Mid/Final): ”B“/ 48th Eur/ 25th Eur
Summary: Swift-skating blueliner who can cover a ton of ground, the latter being a critical aspect to his game considering his difficulties reading plays and making smart decisions off the puck. Vainio’s skating is why he was drafted, and if he develops a better understanding of his position, he can certainly develop into a well-rounded, top-end puck mover.
Columbus Blue Jackets - 6th Round (159th Overall): LHD Vladislav Gavrikov (Yaroslavl, KHL)
Name: Vladislav Gavrikov
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left
Height/Weight: 6’2, 205 lbs
Born: November 21, 1995, Yaroslavl, Russia
Central Scouting Rankings (Prelim/Mid/Final): NR/ 26th Eur/ 26th Eur
Summary: A dominant over-ager who was named top defenseman at the 2015 World Juniors, Gavrikov possesses a wide assortment of skills to shut down top-end talent. He is a heavy hitter, a smart positional defender and a quick stick to interdict plays heading his way. Gavrikov has impeccable gap control, and in terms of a development arc, he may very well be the most advanced defenseman drafted in 2015.
Columbus Blue Jackets - 7th Round (189th Overall): LHD Markus Nutivaara (Karpat, Finland)
Name: Markus Nutivaara
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left
Height/Weight: 6’0, 174 lbs
Born: June 6, 1994, Oulu, Finland
Central Scouting Rankings (Prelim/Mid/Final): NR/ NR/ NR
Summary: Hard to understand this pick considering Nutivaara was 21 on Draft Day and has just one Liiga season under his belt (a very bland season nonetheless). He logged big minutes for Karpat by season’s end and is a reliable top-four type defender but in our viewings had difficulty dealing with bigger forwards and with slot coverage . His limited offensive upside coupled with his age makes you wonder why the Jackets used their final pick on him when there were better prospects on the board, but it’s hard to question any of their picks considering their recent draft history.