Blue Jackets Exciting Prospect Is Impressing In AHL

The Columbus Blue Jackets have multiple promising prospects in their system.

Among them is forward Luca Pinelli, as the 21-year-old has been continuing to grow his game well. 

Pinelli played his first full AHL season with the Cleveland Monsters in 2025-26, where he posted 14 goals, 32 assists, 46 points, and 66 penalty minutes. Overall, the 5-foot-9 forward left a solid first impression with the Monsters. 

Now, so far in 2026-27, Pinelli is already showing clear signs of improvement.

In 13 games so far this season with the Monsters, Pinelli has posted six goals, six assists, and 12 points. With these strong numbers, he is currently second on the Monsters in goals and first in points. With this, he is undoubtedly making an impact early on with the AHL club. He is also one of the Monsters' scrappiest players so far this season, as he ranks third on the team in penalty minutes with 32.

Pinelli is also continuing to play well as the season carries on, too. Over his last five games, he has posted three goals and five points. This included him recording two goals and one assist against the Milwaukee Admirals on Oct. 30.

With the way Pinelli has started this season with the Monsters, it is fair to wonder if he could get a call-up to the Blue Jackets' roster this season. He played in his first three NHL games last season for Columbus, where he had zero points, one block, and two hits. 

Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if Pinelli can keep this kind of hot start going from here. He is certainly a player to keep an eye on as the season progresses.