I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that every prospect ranked inside the top-10 for the Blue Jackets, will play in the NHL. Many of them in prominent roles.
10 (10) LW James Malatesta 5’9″, 190 pounds. 5th round (#133 overall), 2021 NHL Draft. Projection: middle six sniper/pest. Scored 37 goals, 29 assists, 66 points for Quebec (QMJHL) *Added 14 goals, 6 assists in 18 playoff games, 5 goals in 4 Memorial Cup games – named MVP in both cases as Quebec won the Memorial Cup. Will join the Cleveland Monsters this fall. Why we ranked him here: James has gone from being viewed as a potential bottom-six banger, to showcasing high end shooting abilities – while still being a tough, physical two-way player. He’ll be competing for an NHL job in 2024, if his confidence keeps up.
9 (9) C Dmitri Voronkov 6’4″, 190 pounds. 4th round (#114 overall), 2019 NHL Draft. Projection: physical bottom-six two-way center. Scored 18 goals, 13 assists, 31 points for Ak Bars Kazan (KHL). Will compete for a job in Columbus this fall. Why we ranked him here: Dmitri is probably the most NHL ready prospect in the system from a two-way and physicality standpoint. I think he’ll make the Jacket roster out of camp.
8 (5) D Corson Ceulemans 6’2″, 200 pounds. 1st round (#25 overall), 2021 NHL Draft. Projection: second pairing two-way defenseman. Scored 8 goals, 15 assists, 23 points for University of Wisconsin (NCAA). Will play in Cleveland full-time this fall. Why we ranked him here: Corson is another player who seems to get written off a lot. He doesn’t have the big offensive upside of some of the other guys on this list, but his skating and two-way play cannot be overlooked.
7 (6) C Luca del bel Belluz 6’0″, 180 pounds. 2nd round (#44 overall), 2022 NHL Draft. Projection: middle six scoring center. Scored 40 goals, 47 assists, 87 points split between Mississauga and Sarnia (OHL). Will play for Cleveland this fall. Why we ranked him here: Luca is not only a big time producer, his two-way game is refining and he looks like a fair bet to be this team’s second or third line center of the future.
6 (4) D Stanislav Svozil 6’0″, 180 pounds. 3rd round (#69 overall), 2021 NHL Draft. Projection: second pairing two-way defenseman. Scored 11 goals, 67 assists, 78 points for Regina (WHL). Will play for Cleveland this fall. Why we ranked him here: Stanislav is a flashy player; with slick hands, great playmaking ability, and the occasional massive hit. While still a raw talent, he’s done nothing but improve drastically over the last two seasons. His stock has risen through the roof.