Blue Jackets draft defenseman Jackson Smith 14th overall

The Columbus Blue Jackets selected blue-liner Jackson Smith with the 14th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday.

It's easy to understand why scouts are infatuated with Smith's game. Defensemen who stand 6-foot-4 and skate the way Smith does tend to have long NHL careers. He's a very smooth skater who's great on his edges.

Smith loves using his speed to lead the rush or join the attack as the trail man. His great puck skills and good shot give him a high offensive ceiling.

His aggressiveness sometimes tends to put him out of position in his own end, but his length and feet give him a high floor as a defender.

Smith recently committed to Penn State after playing for the WHL's Tri-City Americans the past three years. Internationally, he won a gold medal for Canada at the U18s in 2025, where he tallied four goals and an assist in seven games.

What they're saying

"Smith is a two-way defenceman who can also lead the rush when he escapes pressure in his zone," Sportsnet's Jason Bukala wrote. "He logged an incredible amount of ice time in Tri-City (25 minutes per game) and was deployed in all situations. His offense went to another level and he uses his size to push opponents off the play. ... He's a versatile prospect who contributes to his team's success in many categories."

"I think his hockey sense is great, and it's only a matter of time until he finds a way to explode offensively," Daily Faceoff's Steven Ellis wrote. "I do think he can be a bit of a liability in his own zone at times - the U18s saw him playing a bit nervously at times. But there's plenty of room to progress and he looks destined to be a top-four blue-liner."