A Look Into The Columbus Blue Jackets Prospects Still Playing Meaningful Playoff Games

By Dan Dukart on April 27, 2023 at 1:45 pm
Columbus Blue Jackets forward prospect James Malatesta skates in a preseason game
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
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The Columbus Blue Jackets aren't playing in the playoffs tonight, but several of their top prospects are still playing in their respective league playoffs.

Here's a breakdown of who is still left standing:

Jordan Dumais

Dumais and the Halifax Mooseheads are in the QMJHL semifinals where they'll take on the Sherbrooke Phoenix. The dynamic winger is tied for sixth in QMJHL playoff scoring with 4-12-16 in nine playoff games. 

James Malatesta 

Malatesta, who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NHL Draft, is having a solid season with 37-29-66 in 55 regular season games and 5-4-9 in eight playoff games for the Quebec Remparts. They're on the other side of the QMJHL bracket, so theoretically could square off against Dumais in the championship series.

Luca Del Bel Belluz

Del Bel Belluz was traded midseason from the middling Mississauga Steelheads to the Sarnia Sting, and he didn't miss a beat. After tallying 20-21-41 in 34 games for the Steelheads, he had 20-26-46 in 32 regular season games for the Sting and has added 6-5-11 in 10 playoff games. The lanky centerman square off against the perennially strong London Knights in the OHL semifinals.

Dmitri Voronkov 

In Russia, the KHL's Gagarin Cup is heading for a Game 6 between Ak Bars Kazan and CSKA Moscow. Towering forward Dmitri Voronkov, 22, is following up an excellent regular season campaign with an equally impressive playoff. In 54 regular games with Ak Bars, Voronkov posted a career-best 18-13-31, and has 7-4-11 in 20 playoff games.  

Nikolai Makarov

Squaring off against Voronkov is defenseman Nikolai Makarov, the 2021 fifth-round pick. His growth has been noticeable; the 20-year-old has essentially split time between Russia's top junior league and the KHL the past two seasons, playing just 18 regular-season KHL games this season vs. 25 in the MHL, but he's played in 23 playoff games this spring for CSKA Moscow.

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