Let’s start at the beginning. The Blue Jackets entered the 2017 NHL Draft without a first round pick. They dealt this pick to the Vegas Golden Knights along with forward David Clarkson, with an agreement in place that the Knights would leave a certain power forward (Josh Anderson) alone in their expansion draft.
The Jackets also did not have a second round pick in this draft – it was sent to the Vancouver Canucks as a result of the team hiring John Tortorella as their head coach. A rule that I’m always quick to point out, was rapidly changed after this situation, because the league decided it wasn’t achieving what they’d hoped it would achieve.