2022 Top Prospects: Christmas Edition

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EDMONTON, AB – DECEMBER 25: Mikael Pyyhtia #21 of Finland skates against Germany during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 25, 2020 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /

15. (16, +1) C Mikael Pyyhtia, TPS (Liiga, FIN), 4th round (#114 overall), 2020 NHL Draft

Pyythia came over to North America this summer and played in the Traverse City Prospects tournament – on the top line with Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko, no less. He looked okay, but didn’t stand out and was never going to make the Jackets out of camp. Rather than playing in the AHL, he took his talents back to Finland where he has 3 goals and 7 points through 21 games. He has a great shot and can play alongside skill guys, so look for his production to rev up at some point.

14. (HM, +6) G Sergei Ivanov, SKA St Petersburg (MHL-RUS), 5th round (#138 overall), 2022 NHL Draft

One of the biggest risers on our list, Ivanov just continues to stop the puck at every level he plays. Currently he’s spending the bulk of his time in the VHL, Russia’s second-tier league; where he has a .900 save percentage and 3.18 GAA to go along with a 3-6-2 record. Though undersized compared to most top goaltending prospects, Ivanov is a quality netminder who is trending in the right direction.

13. (15, +2) D Samuel Knazko, Cleveland Monsters (AHL) 3rd round (#78 overall), 2020 NHL Draft

Knazko has made a seamless jump to pro hockey so far, with 14 points (1 goal) in 23 AHL games this season. He’s a good skater who scans the ice well and makes strong passes, often finding players open at just the right time. There are still flaws to his overall game, but he has the tools to become a bottom-four puck mover in the NHL, who can play on a power-play unit.

12. (13, +1) RW Trey Fix-Wolansky, Cleveland Monsters (AHL), 7th round (#204 overall), 2018 NHL Draft

Trey Fix-Wolansky skated in four games with the Blue Jackets this season, but was held scoreless in limited minutes and eventually returned to Cleveland. He’s starring in the AHL this year, with 12 goals and 29 points in just 20 games played – tied with Emil Bemstrom for 10th in the league in scoring. He would likely be in the NHL with his physical, rough-and-tumble brand of hockey, if not for his 5’7″ stature. Look for him to get another shot with the big club before this season is finished.

COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 28: Logan Thompson #36 of the Vegas Golden Knights stops a shot from Trey Fix-Wolansky #64 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the shootout in the game at Nationwide Arena on November 28, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. Las Vegas defeated Columbus 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

11. (NR, +9) D Tim Berni, Cleveland Monsters (AHL), 6th round (#159 overall), 2018 NHL Draft

Look, I admit it – we overlooked Tim Berni in the offseason as a prospect with this team. One thing is for sure: nobody saw him being a Blue Jacket this year. Even with all of the injuries on the team, he was way down the list of call-ups … but once he got his chance, he hasn’t looked back. In spite of the fact that he hasn’t scored an NHL point yet, he’s quietly fit right in alongside Erik Gudbranson. The two have combined to give the team a reliable defense pair over the last 9 games. Talk about an odd couple.

10. (14, +4) F James Malatesta, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL), 5th round (#133 overall), 2021 NHL Draft

With 23 goals in 30 QMJHL games thus far, Malatesta is starting to prove that he can be a high end scorer. When you couple this with his snarly, high paced physical play, this makes him an intriguing prospect who will be turning pro after the junior season is over. He’ll remind Monster fans a lot of Trey Fix-Wolansky, but he plays at a higher pace.

9. (9, no change) C Dmitry Voronkov, Ak Bars Kazan (KHL), 4th round (#114 overall), 2019 NHL Draft

Dmitry Voronkov has an expiring contract and seems destined to make the jump to North America once his KHL season is finished. He could be a bottom-six difference maker for the Jackets right away. He’s pretty close to NHL ready, though his offensive upside won’t be as high as many of the other prospects on the list, but he can produce in a secondary role – proven by his 8 goals and 14 points in 30 KHL games so far this year.

8. (7, -1) D Stanislav Svozil, Regina Pats (WHL), 3rd round (#69 overall), 2021 NHL Draft

Currently sitting second in the WHL in assists (32), and third overall in scoring (37pts) by defensemen, Stanislav Svozil is a flashy player on both sides of the puck. He’s a good skater who will lay a big hit, has a big shot, surprisingly good hands and unique vision from the back end. Overall he’s probably a bottom-four guy in the NHL at his peak, but he can play in all situations and has proven that he can produce when around other talented players.

EDMONTON, AB – AUGUST 19: Connor Bedard #16 of Canada collides with Stanislav Svozil #14 of Czechia in the IIHF World Junior Championship on August 19, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Photo by Andy Devlin/ Getty Images) /

7. (8, +1) C Luca Del Bel Belluz, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL), 2nd round (#44 overall), 2022 NHL Draft

Currently the second line center for the Steelheads, del bel Belluz is quite skilled, but is still putting his overall game together. Good news, CBJ fans: this guy is a true center, not a player that we’re hoping will develop into one. He’s capable in the position, on both sides of the puck; and he has 17 goals and 34 points in 30 games. His consistent productivity and the hole he could fill down the middle has him creeping up this list.

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