Columbus Blue Jackets' 2023-24 review: 5 standout prospects
One reason the Blue Jackets are getting a lot of interest in their vacant general manager position is the prospect pipeline left behind by former GM Jarmo Kekalainen.
Aside from having the likes of Cole Sillinger, Kent Johnson, Adam Fantilli, David Jiricek, Yegor Chinakhov, Kirill Marchenko and Dmitri Voronkov in Columbus, the Jackets’ farm system has even more talent on the way. The new GM will inherit a wealth of impressive prospects before adding even this summer, so the future is still bright Columbus.
Here are five Blue Jackets prospects who've stood out this season:
Denton Mateychuk, Moosejaw Warriors (WHL)
Age: 19
Height/weight: 5-11, 192
Position: D, left shot
Acquired: Drafted first round (12th overall) in 2022
2023-24 stats: 17 goals, 58 assists, 75 points, +35 in 52 games (WHL); 4 assists in five games for Canada (world junior)
Breakdown: Mateychuk had a strong training camp and played well enough in preseason games to make an argument for an NHL roster spot to start the season. The issue was NHL depth in Columbus and among Mateychuk’s peers in the pipeline, so he went back to Moosejaw for another spin in the Western Hockey League.
That went about as expected, as Mateychuk dominated the junior level again while captaining his team into the postseason. He also played for Canada at world juniors, where his intensity made for a hilarious TV spot as the next “Captain Serious.”
2024-25 projection: Mateychuk’s next stop will be the pro ranks, where he’s most likely to play next season with AHL Cleveland. Mateychuk’s powerful frame, elite skating and instincts will likely lead to his NHL debut at some point next season.
Gavin Brindley, Michigan (NCAA/Big Ten)
Age: 19
Height/weight: 5-9, 175
Position: C/RW, right shot
Acquired: Drafted second round (No. 34) in 2023
2023-24 stats: 25 goals, 28 assists, 53 points, +17 in 40 games (NCAA); 6 goals, 4 assists, 10 points, +7 in seven games for the U.S. (world junior)
Breakdown: There were a few draft analysts last summer who thought Brindley might be selected late in the first round, but the draft’s first day passed without that happening. The Blue Jackets were elated to select him with the second pick in the second round (No. 34), and Brindley showed why in his sophomore season at Michigan.
The speedy versatile forward won the Big Ten’s player of the year honors while leading the Wolverines to another Frozen Four before making his NHL debut in the Jackets’ season finale. Brindley also starred for the U.S. at world juniors, helping his country win the tournament.
2024-25 projection: Brindley will likely spend most of the season with AHL Cleveland but has the talent to challenge for an NHL roster spot in training camp.
Jordan Dumais, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Age: 20
Height/weight: 5-9, 174
Position: RW, right shot
Acquired: Drafted third round (No. 96) in 2022
2023-24 stats: 16 goals, 31 assists, 47 points and +25 in 21 games (QMJHL); 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points in five games for Canada (world junior)
Breakdown: Dumais impressed at training camp, but an undisclosed medical condition ended his bid to make the Blue Jackets’ roster. Dumais received treatment that delayed his start to the season, but returned to dominant form with the Halifax Mooseheads. He racked up points for a third straight season before another injury that occurred at world juniors required surgery Jan. 19. Dumais’ recovery was estimated at six weeks, but he re-aggravated the issue and couldn’t return to the Mooseheads’ lineup.
Dumais was also charged with two counts of impaired driving stemming from a March 1 arrest, and he’s scheduled for a second court appearance on the matter May 9 in Halifax. Dumais, an undersized skill forward, is back to rehabbing and skating at his home near Montreal, aiming to be a participant the Blue Jackets’ NHL development camp in July.
2024-25 projection: Dumais, if healthy, is expected to spend next season with AHL Cleveland.
James Malatesta, Cleveland Monsters (AHL)
Age: 20
Height/weight: 5-9, 197
Position: LW, left shot
Acquired: Drafted fifth round (No. 133) in 2021
2023-24 stats: 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, -1 in 11 games (NHL); 12 goals, 9 assists, 21 points and -5 in 53 games (AHL)
Breakdown: Malatesta’s scoring stats don’t jump off the page in his rookie season as a professional, but they’re still solid. His ability to wreak havoc with a fireplug frame, however, is something that has drawn a lot of attention. The AHL doesn’t list hits as a tracked statistic on its website, but Malatesta’s 79 penalty minutes in his first 53 games for the Cleveland Monsters is a strong indicator of his playing style.
He also racked up 41 hits in 11 games with the Blue Jackets, scoring the first two goals of his NHL career, before rejoining the Monsters for a playoff push. Malatesta tries to pattern his game after Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand, a noted pest with a similar build and disposition, and the most valuable player of the Canadian Hockey League’s 2023 Memorial Cup is off to a good start.
2024-25 projection: Malatesta will have to earn it, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him open next season skating with Mathieu Olivier and Sean Kuraly as part of a gritty “energy” line.
Luca Del Bel Belluz, Cleveland Monsters (AHL)
Age: 20
Height/weight: 6-1, 182
Position: C/LW, left shot
Acquired: Drafted second round (No. 44) in 2022
2023-24 stats: 1 goal, 1 point, +1 in one game (NHL); 9 goals, 21 assists, 30 points and -1 in 55 games (AHL)
Breakdown: Del Bel Belluz created one of the most exciting memories of the Blue Jackets’ season while making his NHL debut in the season finale. He scored his first goal on his first shot, which capped a first shift that included serving his first penalty. His parents and sister just barely missed seeing it live, but they heard his name announced for the goal as they stepped out of a concourse elevator at Nationwide Arena.
Del Bel Belluz isn’t just a feel-good story, though. He’s got good size, a nice shot and strong offensive instincts that helped Cleveland in his professional rookie season. Skating has always been his biggest area of needed improvements, but Del Bel Belluz continues to put in work in that area. He has the other skills to develop into a solid NHL center or winger.
2024-25 projection: Del Bel Belluz will likely get a second AHL season to continue his maturation process. He might also be one of the first forwards the Jackets recall as an injury replacement.
Get more Columbus Blue Jackets talk on the Cannon Fodder podcast
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 5 Columbus Blue Jackets prospects who stood out in 2023-24
