Luca Del Bel Belluz

September 2026 – Del Bel Belluz took another significant step offensively in 2025-26, posting a career-best 22 goals and 58 points in 55 AHL games with the Cleveland Monsters while earning AHL All-Star honors for the second consecutive season. His 58 points ranked among the AHL’s top scorers, and he also appeared in 14 NHL games with Columbus, recording one assist. The 22-year-old center remains signed through the 2026-27 season and will enter this season looking to turn his dominant AHL production into a more permanent NHL opportunity. Jayd Serdy

September 2025 – Del Bel Belluz flies under the radar with the Columbus Blue Jackets due to their system’s bigger-name, higher-drafted prospects. The second-round pick (44th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft has had limited NHL action in his two professional seasons. After making his NHL debut in the 2023-24 season, Del Bel Belluz played 15 games with the Blue Jackets during the 2024-25 season as an injury call-up and saw second-line usage. He has produced nine points in 16 career NHL games (three goals and six assists).

Playing a top-line role during the 2024-25 season in the American Hockey League, the Cleveland Monsters played 61 regular-season games and registered 53 points (27 goals and 26 assists). This is his AHL floor for offensive production.

Del Bel Belluz could crack the Blue Jackets opening night roster. He has the talent to beat out recent addition Isac Lundestrom. Still, Lundestrom was brought in to play a specific fourth-line role, which is not where Del Bel Belluz’s game is best suited. Turn to Yegor Chinakhov. If he gets traded, that could be the opening he needs to earn a spot and cement himself as an NHL regular. It is not a stretch that Del Bel Belluz could pass Cole Sillinger in the Blue Jackets lineup and get a top-nine opportunity.

The Blue Jackets are a deep forward group. So early in the season, it would be wise to send him back to the AHL and let him see first-line minutes; if Del Bel Belluz were to play a full season in the AHL, it would not be an exaggeration to project him as a 70+ point forward with at least 35 goals. Unless everything goes well, for the entire 2025-26 season for the Columbus Blue Jackets forward group, Del Bel Belluz probably will not play a whole season in the AHL because he will be a top call-up as an injury replacement or to replace an underperforming player. For him to provide instant fantasy value as a call-up and provide him the opportunity to stay in the NHL, it will have to be a middle-six player he will be replacing.

Del Bel Belluz has two years left on his current contract, and it is not a stretch to think that he will be a full-time NHL regular by the time his contract expires and a player in a significant role on the Columbus Blue Jackets. He should be rostered in all dynasty leagues. If you’re a rebuilding team starting to turn the corner, acquiring a player like Del Bel Belluz could pay off over the next 3-4 seasons when your team becomes a contender. Do not be afraid to inquire about Del Bel Belluz if he is owned in your league by a top team or someone who will move a prospect for a right now, every day NHL player. Mark Henry

February 2025 – In 34 games in the AHL with the Cleveland Monsters, Del Bel Belluz recorded 17 goals and 20 assists, leading the league with 37 points. His performance earned him a spot on the North Division roster for the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic. Owen Hilsinger

June 2023 – The tall centreman is on his way to the Cleveland Monsters, where he should look to bulk up and add more strength to his game. He is a true two-way center with face-off acumen, reasonable skill, and vision, but he is still a few years away from NHL action. Del Bel Belluz could become a solid middle-six center if his physical game develops. Josh Rosa

July 2022 – The Columbus Blue Jackets have selected Del Bel Belluz in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, 44th overall. Nick Richard

March 2022—Del Bel Belluz has been having an impressive season so far for the Mississauga Steelheads. He has used his powerful shot, high-end vision, and slick hands to score 26 goals and 38 assists for 64 points in 51 games. This places him second on the team in goals and points, while he is first in assists.

Although his offensive tools and toolkit are already refined, the center’s skating mechanics hold him back from blowing past players wide, though he can still pick up some speed with enough space ahead of him. Changes in direction and lateral mobility don’t come naturally to Del Bel Belluz due to sub-par ankle flexion and a tendency to flare his legs out in an A shape when carrying the puck, occasionally making him lose his balance. He can also lose puck battles against smaller or smaller players due to a lack of upper-body strength.

Overall, most improvements in this prospect’s game must come in areas that aren’t the most difficult to rectify. Skating can be tweaked, and muscle can be built (especially on a projectable 6-1 frame), but the mental elements of Del Bel Belluz’s game are above average at worst. He understands the game well, and it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if he’s off the board near the end of the first round. Hadi Kalakeche