Rick Bowness sends clear message with Luca Del Bel Belluz move in Blue Jackets playoff race
Photo credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Luca Del Bel Belluz gets the call from Rick Bowness as the Columbus Blue Jackets shake up their forward group mid-push.
This move lands at a key moment.
Columbus holds 88 points and sits right in the Wild Card fight. There's pressure on every line, every shift, every decision behind the bench.
Bowness isn't calling up a passenger.
Del Bel Belluz showed enough earlier this season with 10 points in 29 games, but the bigger story is what he just did in Cleveland.
He forced this move.
The 22-year-old dominated the AHL with 57 points in 53 games, including 22 goals. That's not depth scoring. That's top-line production.
And it changes the internal conversation.
Bowness reshapes the bottom six
This isn't just about adding a young center. It's about sending a message to the current lineup.
Columbus has scored 237 goals this season, but consistency hasn't always been there outside the top six. That's where this recall hits.
Del Bel Belluz likely slides into a middle-six role right away.
He can handle the puck, slow plays down, and extend zone time. That's something Bowness values, especially when games tighten up late in the season.
But ice time won't be handed out.
Someone in the bottom six is now on thin ice. Whether it's a winger or another center, minutes are about to shift.
And if Del Bel Belluz gets power-play reps, that's another layer.
He led Cleveland in power-play goals and overall scoring. That kind of usage doesn't stay in the minors without a reason.
Bowness is looking for a spark. Not next season. Right now.
The Blue Jackets face the Carolina Hurricanes next, a team sitting at 98 points. That's a heavy matchup for a young player stepping in.
But it's also a real test.
If Del Bel Belluz keeps pace, wins draws, and contributes on special teams, he sticks. Simple as that.
If not, this becomes a short audition.
Columbus isn't experimenting anymore. They're chasing a playoff spot.
And this recall tells you exactly where the coach stands: trust the hot hand, even if it's coming from the AHL.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 30|49 ANSWERS Rick Bowness sends clear message with Luca Del Bel Belluz move in Blue Jackets playoff race Should Rick Bowness keep Luca Del Bel Belluz in a top-nine role ? | ||
| Yes | 35 | 71.4 % |
| No | 14 | 28.6 % |
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