2022 Top Prospects: Christmas Edition

As hockey season nears its mid-point, we’re re-ranking the top prospects for the Columbus Blue Jackets. This ranking is done completely on our own, taking into account draft position as well as productivity and current performance. We factor the level of competition and overall play into this ranking as well.

The Rules:

• We are only listing prospects who are aged 23 or under, prior to the start of the 2022-23 season. Unfortunately, this excludes Nick Blankenburg, who would have been on this list.
• To qualify for this list, players have to have fewer than 25 NHL games played. This has been revised from 10gp in our off-season lists.

We have two graduates from the summer list: Jake Christiansen and Kent Johnson. Both players have exceeded 25 games in the NHL and are on the CBJ roster full-time at this point, though Christiansen may be reassigned as other players return to health. This shakes the list up a little bit, but there are some players whose performances have them rising or falling on the list as well.

Honorable Mentions, in no particular order:

(previous ranking in parenthesis)

(HM) RW James Fisher, Northeastern University (NCAA), 7th round (#203 overall), 2022 NHL Draft

Currently skating with the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL); the Northeastern University commit has 2 goals and 5 points through 18 games this season. He’s a long-term prospect, whose upside may be years away.

(HM) D Samuel Johannesson, Brynas (SHL), 6th round (#176 overall), 2020 NHL Draft

Johannesson may be undersized – but he’s producing big numbers in a tough league. Currently through 27 games in the SHL, he has 5 goals and 18 points. He’s tied for 7th in scoring amongst defensemen in the league, and is the only player under 24 years old inside of the top-10.

(HM) RW Ben Boyd, St Mary’s University (Canada), 6th round (#165 overall), 2021 NHL Draft

It’s hard to see Ben Boyd remaining on this list for too much longer. After leaving the QMJHL, the big checking winger took his game to the Canadian collegiate level, where he has just 1 assist through 9 games. His upside was always going to be in the bottom-six, but he just isn’t producing enough to separate himself from the pack here.

(HM) G Jet Greaves, Cleveland Monsters (AHL), signed as a free agent February 2022

Signed by the club last summer to provide depth to the goaltending within the organization, Jet has done exactly that. With injuries at the NHL level, he’s bounced back and forth between Columbus and Cleveland. His numbers don’t jump off the page at you – but make no mistake, he’s done a nice job behind a young Monsters team this season. He could be an NHL backup someday.

(HM) D Nikolai Makarov, CSKA Moscow (KHL), 5th round (#132 overall), 2021 NHL Draft

Currently playing junior hockey in Russia’s MHL, Makarov has 1 goal and 5 assists through 19 games. Offense isn’t his game though – he’s a throwback to defensemen of old: big, physical, and mean. His 41 penalty minutes jump off the page a little bit, but he’s a developing defender who could have shutdown potential in a few years’ time.

(HM) LW Martin Rysavy, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL), 7th round (#197 overall), 2021 NHL Draft

Rysavy has just 2 goals and 11 points in 21 WHL games, but he will represent team Czechia at the World Junior Championships beginning next week. He’s a big, physical winger who thrives when the games are tough. While he’s not a big number producer, he’s a solid power forward who plays a consistent bottom-six role.

(HM) D Aidan Hreschuk, Boston College (NCAA), Acquired via Trade March 2022

Originally a third round pick (#94 overall) of the Carolina Hurricanes, Hreschuk was acquired at last year’s trade deadline for Max Domi. He looked to be trending upward and was even on the team USA radar for the World Juniors – but his production has taken a nose dive this season. Through 15 NCAA games, the California native has 0 points and a -10 rating. We’ll have to keep an eye on his progress to see where he stands moving forward.

(HM) C Josh Dunne, Cleveland Monsters (AHL), signed as a free agent March 2021

Josh is an easy one to update: he’s playing for the Blue Jackets right now. He’s scoreless through 2 games – but has 5 goals, 11 points and 31 penalty minutes in 24 AHL games. The big, physical center gives the team a bottom-six option whenever he’s called upon.

20. (20, no change) D Eric Hjorth, HC Vita Hästen (Allsvenskan), 4th round (#104 overall), 2019 NHL Draft

21 year old Eric Hjorth remains in the Allsvenskan, where he has just 1 goal and 7 points in 27 games this season. At this point in his development, it’s a bit concerning that he hasn’t yet made it to the top tiers in Europe; so his status as an NHL prospect seems to be waning with each passing month.

19. (19, no change) D Ole Bjorgvik-Holm, Cleveland Monsters (AHL), 5th round, 145th overall, 2020 NHL Draft

Ole Bjorgvik-Holm made the jump to professional hockey this fall, and he’s a bit of a rarity in this system: a big, defensive minded defenseman. He’s chipped in two assists for the Monsters through 16 games played; but the most important thing here is adjusting to the pace of pro hockey, and learning how to shut down more talented players.

18. (18, no change) RW Kirill Dolzhenkov, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL – RUS), 4th round (#109 overall), 2022 NHL Draft

Dolzhenkov has played in 5 KHL games so far (held pointless) – but spends most of his time in the MHL, Russia’s junior league. In 30 games with the junior club, he’s scored 12 goals and 29 points, adding 13 minutes in penalties. The hulking winger (6’6″, 240 pounds) is a longer-term prospect who has silky smooth hands, can score goals in bunches, and will be an intriguing piece to watch because of this rare combination of size and skill.

17. (17, no change) D Guillaume Richard, Providence College (NCAA), 4th round (#101 overall), 2021 NHL Draft

You don’t notice Guillaume Richard on the ice all that much, and that’s a compliment to his game. He’s a quiet defender who does a nice job breaking up plays and creating transition for his team. Though he has just 1 goal and 4 points through 18 NCAA games, he’s an improving asset who will most likely become a pro player in some capacity.

16. (11, -5) C Tyler Angle, Cleveland Monsters (AHL), 7th round (#212 overall), 2019 NHL Draft

Falling in a big way is Cleveland Monsters center Tyler Angle. Prior to the draft we considered him a top-10 prospect within the organization; he was just one year removed from a point-per-game season in the AHL – as a 20 year old. But after scoring 37 points in 71 games last year, he continues to trend in the wrong direction, with just 4 goals and 9 points through 21 games this year. Still, he’s a center in an organization that is pretty thin at the position, so if he can rediscover his scoring touch, he’ll be right back on the big club’s radar.

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.

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.

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.