Oiva Keskinen has climbed into the Blue Jackets’ summer prospect conversation fast, and the latest ranking reflects that. After another strong year of pro hockey, the 22-year-old center moved up to No. 11 on the club’s 2026 top prospects list, three spots higher than last summer and just outside the group that drew top-10 votes.
The ranking was put together by Union and Blue writers Matthew Duffey, Mike Stump, Weston Motz, Struan McNevan and Curtis Deem, with only players 24 and under and fewer than 25 NHL games eligible. Keskinen did get top-10 support from two voters, even if his overall slot landed just shy of that tier.
Drafted in the seventh round in 2023, Keskinen was already an overage pick at 19 after making a big jump from Finland’s U18 league to the U20 level. He has been in the Tampere organization since he was 15, and after producing at more than a point per game in juniors the year he was drafted, he moved up again to Liiga, Finland’s top professional league.
That’s where his game has kept rounding into shape. Keskinen has developed into a true two-way center with steady offense, won his first championship in 2024, and also finished as a finalist for Rookie of the Year. After posting 35 points in 59 games in 2024-25, he signed his entry-level deal with Columbus and was loaned back to Tampere for more pro reps before making the jump to North America.
He took another step this past season, putting up 20 goals and 37 points in 49 games while finishing at plus-25 and then winning his second championship in May. The production matches what stands out on tape: he sees the ice well, moves play forward cleanly and makes zone entries look easy with his puck skill and passing.
At 6 feet and 185 pounds, Keskinen isn’t a giant down the middle, but his awareness and active stick help cover for it. He can get knocked off the puck at times when he’s driving to or behind the net, yet he has enough poise and agility to bounce back.
His offensive game also has more bite than it first appears. The passing is obvious, but the shot can sneak up on defenders because of how fast he gets it off and how well he can place it when he has room.
A lot of his goals came on the power play, often off rebounds and deflections near the crease, but he also showed he can find quiet ice and finish in a hurry. Tappara’s March 7, 2026 post captured one of those looks with the call, “2-0 Oiva Keskinen! 🚨”
What makes him appealing is how complete the package is. He looks like a middle-six center who can help drive play, handle defensive work and contribute in transition without needing the puck to be glued to his stick. The one thing he doesn’t really have is a single loud calling card, and he isn’t as aggressive offensively as he probably should be, but those are more gaps in profile than red flags.
For a seventh-round pick, that’s strong value. If Keskinen can carry this into the NHL over the next couple of years, he could end up looking like a real find.
He is expected to begin his first North American season with the Cleveland Monsters, and there’s a belief he may be closer to an NHL job than many expect. With Brendan Gaunce gone to the Boston Bruins and Luca Del Bel Belluz possibly headed to the Blue Jackets, Cleveland could use the help down the middle, and Keskinen may be able to step into a top-six role quickly.
There’s also a real possibility Columbus keeps him on the short list for a call-up if injuries hit. He has the pro experience to fill in at center or wing, and he should be able to slide into a lineup without looking overwhelmed.
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