Can the Columbus Blue Jackets return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2020?
2024-25 was a step in the right direction, and this young nucleus sprinkled with reliable veterans has the makings of a regular season riser.
According to “The Fourth Period,” the Blue Jackets could “dangle” Dmitri Voronkov for a big, impact player. While it was not stated if Columbus prefers a defenseman or forward, it is a bit surprising to hear that it is shopping Voronkov.
He will turn 25 in September and has already proven himself as a viable third line left winger. The 6-foot-5 Russian put up 18 goals and 34 points as a rookie and further established himself with a 23-goal, 47-point performance last season.
Voronkov is not going to contribute much defensively, nor is he necessarily the most physical player at his size. But, he is a skilled winger with excellent net-front presence. At $4.175 million for the next two years, he could be the centerpiece for someone like Seattle Kraken center/left wing Jared McCann.
McCann, 29, has quietly cemented himself as one of the better two-way forwards in hockey and has seen solid point production with the Kraken. Over the last three campaigns, McCann has 91 goals and 193 points over 241 games.
The money also lines up with McCann set to make $5 million annually each of the next two seasons.
Even if Columbus feels like McCann is the piece that gets them into the playoffs, it would probably prefer to package Voronkov with picks or prospects for an even greater return.
