The Columbus Blue Jackets are making moves as they deal with a key absence in their bottom six. Forward Mathieu Olivier has been placed on injured reserve, and in response, the team has recalled center Luca Del Bel Belluz from AHL Cleveland on an emergency basis. With a few days before their next game - a Thursday matchup at home against the Detroit Red Wings - the Jackets have a small window to reset and recalibrate.
Olivier’s absence stems from an upper-body injury sustained during a game against the Washington Capitals on November 24. He left midway through that contest and hasn’t suited up since.
Now listed as week-to-week, this is a blow to Columbus’ energy line and physical identity. Olivier may not be the flashiest name on the roster, but his role is one that coaches and teammates value highly - a dependable grinder who brings physicality, forechecking, and a willingness to do the dirty work.
His journey to this point is a testament to perseverance. Undrafted out of the QMJHL, Olivier carved out a path through the Nashville Predators organization before getting a fresh start in Columbus.
The Blue Jackets gave up a fourth-round pick to acquire him following the 2021-22 season - a price that raised some eyebrows at the time for a player viewed as a depth piece. But Olivier quickly proved his worth.
In 2022-23, he appeared in 66 games and posted career highs across the board. Then came a breakout campaign last season: 18 goals, 32 points, and a six-year extension worth $3 million annually.
That kind of leap doesn’t happen by accident - Olivier earned it.
This season, the production has dipped a bit - three goals through 23 games - but his value goes beyond the stat sheet. Once healthy, he’ll slot right back into that bottom-six role where his physical presence and work ethic help set the tone for the team.
In the meantime, Columbus is turning to one of its top prospects for reinforcements. Luca Del Bel Belluz, just 22, is getting another opportunity to show he belongs at the NHL level.
Drafted in the second round in 2022, the Ontario native has been developing steadily in Cleveland. He’s off to a strong start this season in the AHL, with 11 points in 11 games, following a 53-point campaign over 61 games last year.
Del Bel Belluz has already seen NHL ice this season, logging seven games with the Jackets, though his usage was limited - mostly fourth-line minutes that didn’t offer much room to showcase his offensive upside. Now, with Olivier sidelined, the door opens again. Whether he sticks around this time will depend on how he handles the opportunity.
The Blue Jackets have a crowded forward group, especially after adding veterans like Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood, along with the continued emergence of their young core. But Del Bel Belluz has shown he can produce at the pro level. If he can bring that same confidence and creativity to the NHL, he could carve out a bigger role - not just as a fill-in, but as a long-term contributor.
For now, the focus is on Thursday’s game against Detroit and how Columbus adjusts without Olivier. But this stretch could end up being a pivotal moment for Del Bel Belluz - a chance to prove he’s more than just next in line.