DALLAS — The Blue Jackets’ NHL draft experience has changed dramatically in recent years.



Look no further than the draft floor during Friday’s first round in American Airlines Arena. The teams are tabled in relation to the draft order, with those picking first aligned closest to the stage. The Stanley Cup champ and the three other conference finalists are in the back row, closest to the media riser.



For years, the Blue Jackets were very close to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and the dais where the picks are made. (I actually used to bring binoculars to cover the draft, no joke.)



Lately, the Blue Jackets find themselves in the middle of the draft floor. At last year’s draft, they didn’t have a first-round draft pick, having traded it to expansion Vegas. This year, the Jackets don’t pick until No. 18 overall.



General manager Jarmo Kekalainen said the Blue Jackets will stick to the tried-and-true approach of taking...