The Columbus Blue Jackets owned eight draft picks going into the 2025 NHL Draft, including No. 14 and No. 20 in the first round.

One of Columbus’ selections, a fifth-round pick (No. 160 overall), was acquired June 26 in a deal that sent backup goaltender Daniil Tarasov to the Florida Panthers.

The club also completed a swap of organizational depth forwards on June 26, sending AHL Cleveland forward Cam Butler to the Minnesota Wild for Brendan Gaunce, who has one year remaining on a two-year contract. Gaunce is rejoining the Blue Jackets after playing for Columbus and Cleveland from 2021-24.

They parted with a third-round selection when they made a swap with the Colorado Avalanche. See details below.

But Jackets president of hockey operations and general manager Don Waddell might not be done wheeling and dealing.

We’ll track all the moves the Blue Jackets make tonight here.

The Blue Jackets have announced that they have acquired forwards Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood.

Columbus sends forward prospect Gavin Brindley, selected in the second round of the 2023 draft (34th overall), plus their 2025 third-round pick (77th overall) and a conditional 2027 second-round pick to the Avalanche for the two veterans. Columbus has two second-round picks in 2027, so they’ll get their pick of which one the Avalanche can use to satisfy the trade condition.

— Brian Hedger

With the new format for this year’s draft, with teams making their selections from their home arenas rather than a centralized draft headquarters, Blue Jackets fans can watch the draft from the same building where GM Don Waddell and Columbus’ front office will be going to work.

The Blue Jackets watch party is a free event, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The only place for fans to enter is at the Front Street entrance.

After missing out on New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson, reports from multiple NHL insiders say the Blue Jackets have acquired center Charlie Coyle in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche. Colorado’s return from Columbus has not been reported.

— Brian Hedger

The Blue Jackets are in need of a right-shot defenseman, and according to multiple reports, they were in on New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson.

However, multiple media outlets say that the Montreal Canadiens ended up landing the blueliner. They also agreed to an eight-year, $76 million contract extension with him.

Per those reports, the Islanders will receive forward Emil Heineman and both of Montreal’s first-round picks (Nos. 16 and 17) in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Dobson, 25, was a pending restricted free agent after wrapping up a three-year, $12 million contract last season, when he recorded 39 points (10 goals, 29 assists) and averaged 23:16 of ice time in 71 games.

Dobson has totaled 230 points (50 goals, 180 assists) in 388 career games since being selected by the Islanders with the 12th overall pick of the 2018 NHL Draft.

— Field Level Media

What time does the NHL draft start?

The 2025 NHL Draft begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 27th. The second through seventh rounds start at noon the next day.

Where is the NHL draft 2025?

The main staging ground for this year’s draft is L.A. Live’s Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. However, unlike previous years (outside the pandemic), the NHL’s 32 teams are dispersed throughout the country. The Blue Jackets’ war room is at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.

Who will be the #1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft?

Numerous analysts say there are two most likely candidates to go No. 1 to the New York Islanders. They are defenseman Matthew Schaefer from Erie of the Ontario Hockey League and Saginaw (OHL) center Michael Misa.

How to watch 2025 NHL Draft?Date: June 27-28Time: 7 p.m. ET on June 27; 12 p.m. ET on June 28Location: Peacock Theatre (Los Angeles)TV: ESPN, NHL NetworkStream: ESPN+, Fubo2025 NHL Draft: First-round orderNew York Islanders (won draft lottery)San Jose SharksChicago BlackhawksUtah Mammoth (moved up in second draft lottery)Nashville PredatorsPhiladelphia FlyersBoston BruinsSeattle KrakenBuffalo SabresAnaheim DucksPittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh Penguins (from New York Rangers via Vancouver Canucks)Detroit Red WingsColumbus Blue JacketsVancouver CanucksMontreal Canadiens (from Calgary Flames)Montreal CanadiensCalgary Flames (from New Jersey Devils)St. Louis BluesColumbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota Wild)Ottawa SenatorsPhiladelphia Flyers (from Colorado Avalanche)Nashville Predators (from Tampa Bay Lightning)Los Angeles KingsChicago Blackhawks (from Toronto Maple Leafs)Nashville Predators (from Golden Knights via Sharks)Washington CapitalsWinnipeg JetsCarolina HurricanesSan Jose Sharks (from Dallas Stars)Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton Oilers)Calgary Flames (from Florida Panthers)Get more on the Columbus Blue Jackets with our Cannon Fodder podcast