According to a team announcement, the Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled forward Luca Del Bel Belluz on an emergency basis. It’s the third time Del Bel Belluz has been recalled, and his second on an emergency basis.
Fortunately, Del Bel Belluz’s recall isn’t for any injury concerns. Reports indicate that depth forward Brendan Gaunce and his wife are expecting a child relatively soon. The Blue Jackets will use Del Bel Belluz as an extra forward for their upcoming two-game road trip.
Although he has yet to break out in any meaningful way at the NHL level, Del Bel Belluz’s play with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters has made him the next man up for the Blue Jackets. The 44th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft has spent the last three years primarily playing for Cleveland, scoring 41 goals and 97 points in 133 games.
The 22-year-old debuted during the 2023-24 season, but had his longest look in the NHL last year. He performed relatively well in limited action, scoring two goals and eight points in 15 games, averaging 13:45 of ice time. There was certainly room to grow on the defensive side of the puck, though that’s to be expected of a younger forward.
Still, he hasn’t resumed that production this season. Nearly reaching last year’s games played totals, Luca Del Belluz has tallied only one assist in 11 games for the Blue Jackets this season. He’s averaged far less ice time (9:04) and has largely been relegated to a fourth-line role.