The Jackets entered the draft without a first round pick, for just the second time in franchise history. They sent their first rounder to Vegas, as well as a second round pick in 2019, along with LTIR forward David Clarkson; with the agreement that the Knights would select William Karlsson at the expansion draft. This allowed the Jackets to protect coveted power forward Josh Anderson.
Unfortunately, we all know how things ultimately worked out. Karlsson burst onto the scene and suddenly became a top six center, scoring 43 goals the very next season. Anderson was productive, but only played three more seasons in Central Ohio, before being dealt to Montreal.