The 2015 NHL Entry Draft is less than a month away and the Columbus Blue Jackets enter the month of June with plenty of options.
General manager Jarmo Kekalainen currently has 10 draft picks at his disposal including four in the first two rounds and six in the first three rounds.
On top of their own 2nd and 3rd rounders they also own Toronto's 2nd - as well as Anaheim's - and Philadelphia's 3rd so most of their picks come from non-playoff teams.
That, of course, means they are high picks. The Blue Jackets have the luxury of picking three times in the top-38 and six times in the top-68 should they keep those picks.
This draft provides a golden opportunity for Kekalainen, who generally has done very well at the draft table, and his staff to load an already solid system with high-end prospects.
The Blue Jackets' abundance of picks give them the option of parlaying a couple for help on the blue line or moving up in the draft.
This is a very good draft class and the difference between 25 and, say, 35 isn't huge but if the Blue Jackets are really high on someone they have what it would take to move up, even if the pick they're gunning for is relatively high in the draft.
Whether Kekalainen and co. stand pat and use all their picks or trade some - either to move up or for an established NHL blue liner - remains to be seen but Kekalainen has the assets required either way.
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