GM Jarmo Kekalainen has done a terrific job filling this team's prospect cupboard. This top-5 is still really good, even with the graduation of some important pieces.
5. (7) C Luca del bel Belluz 6’0″, 180 pounds. 2nd round (#44 overall), 2022 NHL Draft. Projection: middle six scoring center. Stats: 4g-9a-13pts, 18gp for Cleveland (AHL). Why we ranked him here: Luca has made a quick transition to the American Hockey League, scoring at a near point-per-game pace and only getting better as the young season continues on. He needs to stay there this year and keep developing his all-around game, but he may be the best true center prospect in the organization, with Fantilli graduating from the list. I love his potential as a future middle-six center for the Blue Jackets.
4. (6) D Stanislav Svozil 6’0″, 180 pounds. 3rd round (#69 overall), 2021 NHL Draft. Projection: second pairing two-way defenseman. Stats: 1g-8a-9pts, 19gp for Cleveland (AHL). Why we ranked him here: Need a goal? Need a shot blocked? Big hit to spark the team? Stan can do it all, and he has done so consistently at every level since being drafted. He even picked up an assist for the Blue Jackets in the spring. He'll be a fan favorite for the Blue Jackets in no time.
3. (5) C Gavin Brindley 5’9″, 170 pounds. 2nd round (#34 overall), 2023 NHL Draft. Projection: middle-six two-way forward. Stats: 10g-8a-18pts, 18gp for Michigan (NCAA). Why we ranked him here: Though undersized, Brindley plays the game physical and at a breakneck pace. He has high end goal scoring potential, and does not take a single shift off - regardless the scenario. Brindley also made team USA for the World Juniors; his stock is only rising.
2. (4) RW Jordan Dumais 5’9″, 175 pounds. 3rd round (#96 overall), 2022 NHL Draft. Projection: top-six scoring winger. Stats: 16g-31a-47pts, 21gp for Halifax (QMJHL). Why we ranked him here: Dumais is the most prolific scorer anywhere in the Blue Jacket organization/system. In 85 regular season games over the last two seasons, he has 70 goals and 187 points. The reigning QMJHL MVP is right back at it this fall, leading the league in points-per-game by more than a half point. Will play in a significant (top line) role for team Canada at the World Juniors.
1. (3) D Denton Mateychuk 5’11”, 190 pounds. 1st round (#12 overall), 2022 NHL Draft. Projection: top-four puck-moving defenseman. Stats: 6g-29a-35pts, 24gp for Moose Jaw (WHL). Why we ranked him here: Denton Mateychuk saw his season-opening 23 game point streak snapped in the final game before heading off to team Canada's WJC U-20 invitee camp. A 23 game points streak in junior may not seem all that impressive - except for the fact that Denton is a defenseman. We've called him a one-man breakout before; that holds true, and he's producing at a much higher pace this year. Also playing in a significant role for team Canada at the World Juniors. This guy is the real deal.