Union and Blue
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Columbus Blue Jackets: Summer 2023 Top Prospects

By Curtis Deem

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 29: Gavin Brindley celebrates with Adam Fantilli after being selected 34th overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 29: Gavin Brindley celebrates with Adam Fantilli after being selected 34th overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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For our top-20 rankings, each of us at Union and Blue put together our own list. Then we compared lists, assigned point values to each prospect (ranked first earns 20 points, ranked 20th earns 1 point, etc); and compiled our consensus top-20 prospects for the team. Here’s how we ranked them, again with previous rankings in parenthesis:

20 (NR) C Luca Pinelli 5’9″, 170 pounds. 4th round (#114) overall, 2023 NHL Draft. Projection: middle six two-way center. Scored 29 goals, 34 assists, 63 points for Ottawa (OHL). Will return to Ottawa this fall. Why we ranked him here: Luca’s combination of speed, skill, and tenacity makes him a pretty safe bet to at least see some time in the NHL. His scoring upside could make him a big time steal, if it translates to the big leagues.

LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JANUARY 25: Forward Luca Pinelli #20 of the Ottawa 67’s skates for Team White during the 2023 Kubota CHL Top Prospects Game Practice at the Langley Events Centre on January 25, 2023 in Langley, British Columbia. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JANUARY 25: Forward Luca Pinelli #20 of the Ottawa 67’s skates for Team White during the 2023 Kubota CHL Top Prospects Game Practice at the Langley Events Centre on January 25, 2023 in Langley, British Columbia. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images) /

19 (15) D Guillaume Richard 6’2″, 175 pounds. 4th round (#101 overall), 2021 NHL Draft. Projection: bottom-three two-way defenseman. Scored 1 goal, 7 assists, 8 points for Providence College (NCAA). Will return to Providence College this fall. Why we ranked him here: Guillaume is a little bit forgotten about in this prospect pool, but his skating, puck moving, and gap control should earn him more attention.

18 (NR) D Andrew Strathmann 5’11”, 190 pounds. 4th round (#98 overall), 2023 NHL Draft. Projection: bottom-four puck moving defenseman. Scored 3 goals, 35 assists, 38 points for Youngstown (USHL). Will return to Youngstown this fall. Why we ranked him here: Andrew’s offensive upside and stout physicality makes him an intriguing prospect. If his offense carries over to the NCAA quickly, he may shoot up this list.

17 (13) G Sergei Ivanov 5’11”, 165 pounds. 5th round (#138 overall), 2022 NHL Draft. Projection: starting goaltender. Posted a .928 save percentage, 2.17 goals against average for SKA St Petersburg (VHL, Russian tier 2 men’s league). Will return to St Petersburg this fall, may see more KHL time. Why we ranked him here: Sergei is not only obviously talented – he’s stopping pucks at a high level in a men’s league. This is a sleeper pick that could pay off huge, if he ever crosses the pond.

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – JANUARY 22: #30 Goalkeeper Sergei Ivanov of Russian Federation celebrates the victory after Men’s 6-Team Tournament Gold Medal Game between Russia and United States of the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympics on January 22, 2021 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by RvS.Media/Robert Hradil/Getty Images)
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – JANUARY 22: #30 Goalkeeper Sergei Ivanov of Russian Federation celebrates the victory after Men’s 6-Team Tournament Gold Medal Game between Russia and United States of the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympics on January 22, 2021 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by RvS.Media/Robert Hradil/Getty Images) /

16 (14) LW Mikael Pyyhtia 6’0″, 160 pounds. 4th round (#114 overall), 2020 NHL Draft. Projection: middle six scoring winger. Scored 7 goals, 13 assists, 20 points for TPS (Finland). Joined the Cleveland Monsters late and will return there this fall. Why we ranked him here: Mikael is a pure sniper who has shown a penchant for producing at a higher rate when paired with other talented players. He can play up and down the lineup and provide secondary offense.

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