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.

The Columbus Blue Jackets came into night one of the 2025 NHL Draft armed with multiple first-round picks, and many thought that Don Waddell would trade both of those picks. But it wasn't because they thought he would,

This is an unbelievably good move for the Avalanche, who cleared $7.75 million in cap space and could be unexpected players in free agency.