Blue Jackets prospects shift abroad as Makarov re-ups, Svozil departs North America

Earlier this morning, Jackets fans received two updates on defense prospects whose NHL rights are held by the Columbus Blue Jackets. One has spent several years developing within the organization, while the other remains a long‑term project overseas.

The more notable development involves Stanislav Svozil. According to Elite Prospects’ Honza Zoufa, the Cleveland Monsters’ left‑shot defenseman will return to the Czech Republic to join HC Kometa Brno of the Czech Extraliga. This is the same club he last played for in 2020–21 before spending the past five seasons in North America with the Regina Pats, Cleveland Monsters, and Columbus Blue Jackets.

It’s a disappointing turn. As recently as last season, Svozil looked like a rising, intelligent young defenseman with the tools to claim a future spot on the left side in Columbus, and the versatility to play his off‑side when needed.

That trajectory collapsed this year. Svozil finished the season primarily on the Monsters’ third pair, playing his off‑hand side, and recorded just 7 points in 41 AHL games, plus 3 assists in 9 playoff contests. At 23, he remains young, and Columbus will retain his rights as he voluntarily returns to Europe, but the odds of him wearing Union Blue again are slim.

On the other hand, Nikolai Makarov remains overseas and continues to develop in Russia. The 2021 fifth‑round pick finally logged more consistent KHL action this season, posting 7 assists in 27 games split between CSKA Moscow and Lada Togliatti.

Makarov is an intriguing but distant prospect: he has size at 6'1", 194 lbs., but lacks a standout trait that would elevate him into a higher‑end NHL projection. His offensive game has yet to materialize at the KHL level, and he remains a long shot.

Per CBJ Prospects, Makarov has signed a one‑year extension with Lada Togliatti, keeping him in the KHL through the 2026–27 season. The short term suggests he may still be leaving the door cracked for a future attempt at North America, but at this stage, that possibility feels remote

The development for Svozil especially is disappointing, as even we here at Union and Blue have spoken about our admiration for him as a prospect in the past. But, he did very little this season in the American Hockey league to keep his position on the top pairing, both slots of which were usurped by Guillaume Richard and Dysin Mayo.

Makarov may have a long and steady career in the KHL like other former CBJ Russian draft picks that never came over, but his odds of landing in the NHL are dim at this point.