Top prospects for Columbus Blue Jackets

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the Columbus Blue Jackets, according to NHL.com.

1. Adam Fantilli, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 3 pick in 2023 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: University of Michigan (NCAA): 36 GP, 30-35-65

The 18-year-old has achieved a lot in a short period. He led the NCAA in goals and points last season and was voted the third freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the best NCAA men's ice hockey player (Paul Kariya, Maine, 1993; Jack Eichel, Boston College, 2015).

Fantilli (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) helped Canada win the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship and 2023 IIHF World Championship. The Blue Jackets expect him to be their No. 1 center, possibly this season, and signed him to a three-year, entry level contract July 1.

Columbus defenseman Zach Werenski, another former Michigan player, trains in the offseason with Fantilli and sees him contributing immediately.

"Yeah, 100 percent," Werenski said. "He's very mature. When you talk to him, he gets it right away. He's produced everywhere he's been. I have no question that he'll be able to produce at the NHL level."

Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. David Jiricek, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 6 pick in 2022 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Columbus (NHL): 4 GP, 0-0-0; Cleveland (AHL): 55 GP, 6-32-38

The 19-year-old from Czechia gave the Blue Jackets a brief glimpse of his potential last season, but he excelled with Cleveland in the American Hockey League, where he was named to the AHL All-Star Game and AHL Top Prospects team.

After trading for defensemen Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson, the Blue Jackets can afford to give Jiricek (6-4, 199) more time in the AHL, but feel he is ready now and will soon be on the right side of the top pair opposite Werenski.

"We believe David Jiricek is going to be a great defenseman in the NHL," Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said.

Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. Denton Mateychuk, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 12 pick in 2022 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Moose Jaw (WHL): 63 GP, 8-57-65

Mateychuk is among prospects including Corson Ceulemans, Stanislav Svozil, and Samuel Knazko who could anchor the Columbus defense over the next several seasons.

Having turned 19 on July 12, Mateychuk (6-1) has time to mature physically. He said at Blue Jackets development camp in July that he is up to about 200 pounds.

A longshot to make the NHL this season, the Blue Jackets want Mateychuk to return to Moose Jaw to use his skating and playmaking to dominate.

"We love him," Columbus director of player personnel Chris Clark said. "We're really high on him. He's a leader. He's a power-play guy and does it all there."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

4. Jordan Dumais, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 96 pick in 2022 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Halifax (QMJHL): 64 GP, 54-86-140

The 19-year-old signed a three-year, entry-level contract Nov. 25, 2022. He finished second in the Canadian Hockey League in points last season behind Connor Bedard's 143.

His size (5-9, 174) could be viewed as a detriment, but only Sidney Crosby (164 points, 2004-05) and Alexander Radulov (152, 2005-06) had more points than Dumais in a QMJHL season in the past 20 years.

Possible future Columbus teammate Johnny Gaudreau is also 5-9.

"We're excited to see where he goes from here," Clark said of Dumais. "He's highly motivated, a hard worker and has a great upside."

Projected NHL arrival: 2025-26

5. Dmitri Voronkov, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 114 pick in 2019 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Ak Bars Kazan (KHL): 54 GP, 18-13-31

The 22-year-old has played the past four full seasons in the KHL but is poised to make the Blue Jackets roster after signing a two-year, entry-level contract May 4.

His skating needs improvement, but Voronkov (6-4, 192) can play center or wing and uses his size for disruption.

Voronkov may follow forward Kirill Marchenko's rookie path of last season and begin this season with Cleveland to acclimate to the North American game.

Projected NHL arrival:This season