3 Takeaways From Day 1 of Blue Jackets Development Camp

The Columbus Blue Jackets opened up their team development camp with a split squad of recent draftees from their past three draft classes, as well as other camp invitees who are looking to make a splash in front of team brass. Media was also present and allowed to ask some questions to some of the prospects who took the ice.

The four players who took to the podium were all of the Blue Jackets most recent first round draft picks, Oscar Hemming, Jackson Smith, Pyotr Andreyanov, and Cayden Lindstrom. Andreyanov spoke through a translator to the media that was present, but showed some personality through his communication barrier.

As the two different groups took the ice, fans got to witness some highly anticipated returns to Columbus and got to see these players in action, and see the future of the Blue Jackets.

However, what these players said spoke quite a bit to how they were feeling on the ice surrounded by their peers. They are all looking forward to what this next year will bring, either back at school, or with another year developing in a different league, some looking to shed last year, and others looking to build off a great campaign.

Cayden Lindstrom Talks Health

Lindstrom was the first player to take the ice in warmups, and he looked like a new version of himself on the ice throughout the drills, and in the media availability he also spoke about how much better he is feeling.

“My back is the best it’s felt in a long time,” said Lindstrom when asked about his recent set backs. He also mentioned how he has more mobility than he feels like he has in awhile, and feels his on-ice performance will reflect that.

After a rougher start to his college career than he may have hoped for, he acknowledged coming back to Michigan State made the most sense for him, and a big reason for that was because he feels like loyalty matters, especially in the world of name, image, and likeness (NIL), and the transfer portal being so prevelant.

He also acknowledged how excited he is to play with all the newest 2026 NHL Entry Draft picks who are committed to play at Michigan State this upcoming season. The Spartans had nine players drafted on Friday and Saturday combined, which adds to the already loaded roster they had littered with NHL talent.

Lindstrom hopes to find the score sheet more often, and he also wants to be a bigger presence in team leadership.

“It’s a spot I definitely want to be in for next year, I would definitely want to take a big step in a leadership role as a player as well,” said Lindstrom.

If Lindstrom continues to develop and elevate his game with the talent elevated around him, he could be a candidate to potentially join the Blue Jackets later next season, after his year in East Lansing is finished. He has the size to be a threat in the NHL, he just needs to find the skill that got him drafted fourth overall again.

Top Prospects Discuss Raised Competition Level in Big Ten

Both Lindstrom and Smith will be battling it out this season in the Big Ten in an extremely competitive hockey conference. Both guys are returning to their schools from a year ago, Michigan State and Penn State respectively, and both guys are looking for what that next step will be in a jam packed conference.

Lindstrom is hoping this season will be one where he breaks out as a prospect, and Smith is hoping this season will be one where he takes that next step in proving he is an NHL caliber player.

“They (Penn State) gave me a lot of opportunities last season, and this year I feel like I really grew,” said Smith. “I am just looking to get better, looking to be a more complete player, and being harder to play against in the defensive zone.”

What's the difference in Jackson Smith from last year to now? The #CBJ first-round pick had a quick answer: "I think I got a lot more mature."

A year of college — and doing your own laundry — will do that for you.https://t.co/US8f2V3xIi

— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) June 29, 2026

Now looking ahead to this season, instead of Smith being surrounded by the number one overall pick, Gavin McKenna, he instead becomes a leader in the locker room. On the flip side, with the immense amount of talent coming into the Michigan State locker room, Lindstrom will have one of the best supporting casts in all of college hockey, and the question becomes how will he use it.

Smith also discussed why he believed going from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to the NCAA was going to make him a better player right away.

“Playing against 24-year-olds it forces you to get stronger, and I spend way more time in the weight room, and I only play two games a week, and much more time to get ready for those games,” said Smith. “I turned down the games to get better off the ice, and I am hoping that will help me on the ice too.”

Both Smith and Lindstrom enter the season with high expectations coming from Columbus, as Blue Jackets fans patiently await the eventual arrival of two of their best prospects from the college ranks.

Oscar Hemming Reminds of Former Finnish Blue Jacket

There was a lot to love about the energy of Hemming from the time he stepped on the ice at the OhioHealth Ice Haus today. He looked big, he looked physical, and he looked like one of the most skilled players on the ice, despite being by far the youngest.

Hemming turns 18 years old in about six weeks, and one of the biggest things that stuck out was how big he was already looking despite being the youngest player in college hockey and just beginning his development with the Blue Jackets. He also talked about the style he likes to play.

“Just a modern power forward, a guy that can get messy, and hit people and get under their skin. At the same time a guy who can be skillful and make plays, get good shots, and score goals,” said Hemming.

First look at @BlueJacketsNHL 1st round draft pick Oscar Hemming, who won’t turn 18 for another six weeks. pic.twitter.com/zt9FQpa7Ap

— Dave Holmes (@DaveHolmesTV) June 29, 2026

He also talked about his start in hockey, following his brother into hockey, and his father, Jonas Hemming, a former professional across Europe in his own right. When asked who his favorite Finnish players to watch in the NHL were, a big smile came across his face as he started naming his favorites.

“I like Barkov, Rantanen, Hintz, Heiskanen, I mean I could name all of them,” said Hemming. “If you see a Finnish guy playing in the NHL you are just excited to watch.”

However, the guy he most reminded me of was former Blue Jacket Patrik Laine. A big bodied Finnish player, with a nice one-timer, silky smooth puck control, a very calm demeanor, and a good personality. He has all the traits to be a prominent piece of the Blue Jackets future, and there is a ton to be excited about with all the youth that was on the ice today.

The Blue Jackets Development Camp runs through July 2nd, where they will cap the camp off with an intersquad game. That will all go down Thursday, starting at 9:30am E.T. at the OhioHealth Ice Haus right next to Nationwide Arena.