COLUMBUS,OH – July 15,2024 – the Columbus Blue Jackets have announced the progress and future plans for three recent high-round draft picks: Anton lindstrom,Ethan Smith,and yegor Andreyanov. The updates came during the team’s progress camp at Nationwide Arena, offering insights into the players’ recovery, collegiate plans, and projected paths to the NHL.
Anton Lindstrom (No. 4, 2024 NHL Draft)
How acquired: Selected with No. 4 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft
2024-25 season: Medicine Hat (WHL): 0 GP, 0-0-0 in regular season; 4 GP, 2-2-4 in playoffs
Forward Anton Lindstrom (6-foot-3, 209 pounds) successfully recovered from a microdiscectomy performed in November to address a herniated disc.the injury sidelined him for the entire 2024-25 regular season with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League. Lindstrom made a notable return during the WHL playoffs, recording an assist in Game 1 of the Western Hockey League Final and scoring in Game 2. He briefly missed Game 4 due to a hard hit but returned for Game 5. Lindstrom expressed his determination to regain his form, stating on July 2nd, “that was my goal all season was to go back and play with [Medicine Hat] there… worked as hard as I could. It helped me a lot, just coming into this summer, seeing what I had to work on.” He will now transition to college hockey, joining Michigan State University.
Projected NHL arrival: 2026-27
Ethan Smith (No. 14, 2025 NHL Draft)
How acquired: selected with No. 14 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft
2024-25 season: Tri-City (WHL): 68 GP,11-43-54
Defenseman Ethan Smith (6-3,195 pounds) was considered a top prospect in the 2025 draft class. Blue Jackets General Manager Don Waddell indicated the team was surprised Smith was available at No. 14, citing exceptional scouting reports, with some scouts rating his skating a perfect 10 out of 10. Waddell highlighted Smith’s potential to quickly adapt to the NHL due to his combination of size and agility. Smith will continue his development at Penn State University, joining forward Gavin mckenna in a burgeoning hockey program. Smith stated, “Getting to play against a bit of better competition, I think it gets you a bit more ready for the NHL.”
Projected NHL arrival: 2026-27
Yegor Andreyanov (No. 20, 2025 NHL Draft)
How acquired: Selected with No. 20 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft
2024-25 season: Krasnaya Armiya (MHL): 37 GP, 23-6-6, 1.75 GAA, .942 SV%
Goaltender Yegor Andreyanov (6-0, 207 pounds) was the first goaltender selected in the 2025 draft, lauded for his dominance in the junior system of CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League. Waddell confirmed andreyanov was the blue Jackets’ top-rated goalie in the draft, second only to Smith on thier overall list. though, Andreyanov is currently under contract with CSKA Moscow for the next five seasons and will remain in Russia during that time. Waddell anticipates Andreyanov will join the Blue Jackets association around age 22 or 23, hoping his development path will lead directly to the NHL.
Projected NHL arrival: 2030-31
