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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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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.

WINDSOR, ONTARIO – MARCH 04: Forward Luca Del Bel Belluz #73 of the Sarnia Sting skates against the Windsor Spitfires at WFCU Centre on March 04, 2023 in Windsor, Ontario. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
WINDSOR, ONTARIO – MARCH 04: Forward Luca Del Bel Belluz #73 of the Sarnia Sting skates against the Windsor Spitfires at WFCU Centre on March 04, 2023 in Windsor, Ontario. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images) /

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.

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