Luca Pinelli's NHL debut with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, has generated considerable buzz. The 20-year-old forward not only drew into the lineup due to injuries to Kirill Marchenko and Mathieu Olivier but also started in the top-six alongside Sean Monahan and Cole Sillinger.
Pinelli's impact was immediate. He showcased noticeable puck control and physicality in his initial shifts, quickly earning a spot on the second power-play unit. His ice time further increased as the game progressed, even earning him a spot on the second shift in overtime, ahead of highly touted prospects like Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson. By the end of the Blue Jackets' narrow 2-1 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs, Pinelli had logged an impressive 16:20 of ice time, nearly double that of Yegor Chinakhov, who played on the fourth line.
Head coach Dean Evason praised Pinelli's compete level and his ability to exceed expectations in areas that were initially a concern. "Just his compete," Evason said. "What we thought maybe he wasn't going to do, some puck battles and some wall play and getting pucks out. He did that and that gave us confidence to continue to play him in key situations at the end of that game and in a tie hockey game in an overtime. But he competes his butt off. So that is what we enjoyed and liked the most". Evason further commented that Pinelli "exceeded the areas of concern," high praise for a player in his first NHL game.
Pinelli credited the Cleveland Monsters coaching staff for ensuring a seamless transition to the NHL, noting that the systems in Cleveland are the same as with the Blue Jackets. "The coaches. They did a great job showing me all the systems and stuff like that," Pinelli said. "So it was comfortable for me to transition here".
In his debut, Pinelli recorded two shots on goal, one hit, and one blocked shot. He also demonstrated good playmaking ability, setting up scoring chances with some well-executed passes.
Prior to his NHL debut, Pinelli was recalled from the Cleveland Monsters, where he led the team in goals and points with five goals and five assists in 13 games. Drafted by Columbus in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, the Stoney Creek, Ontario native spent four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Ottawa 67's, amassing 128 goals and 124 assists for 252 points in 246 games. He served as captain for the Ottawa 67’s. His best season came in 2023-24 when he recorded 48 goals and 34 assists for 82 points.
Pinelli's strong debut has earned him another opportunity to play, as he is expected to remain in the lineup for the Blue Jackets' game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Black Friday night at Nationwide Arena. He will start in the top-six again, while Marchenko and Olivier remain sidelined with upper-body injuries.
