The Blue Jackets concluded the 2025 NHL Draft on Saturday afternoon with six new players, including a trio of choices in the first 76 picks in the opening three rounds. But to the team’s decision makers, they left with three of the top 14 players in the draft.

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell was thwarted in his trade efforts at the NHL Draft. So, he drafted. And he said that was fine.

Waddell: "When you're sitting there at 76 and you're able to get a guy who is still on your top 15 list, there's only one decision to make."