What Happened
According to The Athletic, the Columbus Blue Jackets are actively receiving calls from other NHL teams regarding forward Dmitri Voronkov. The 26-year-old winger is in the final year of a two-year, $4.175 million deal but has found it difficult to establish a steady position in the lineup. He was recently a healthy scratch for back-to-back games and currently averages just 11 minutes and 44 seconds of ice time per game. Despite some strong underlying metrics, his limited utilization has led the organization to explore moving him.
Key Details
- Voronkov is in the second season of a two-year, $4.175 million contract.
- He has two assists in ten games and no goals this season.
- Voronkov was a healthy scratch for games on October 17 and 18.
- Defenseman Emil Andrae, buried on the books, is a potential add-on asset.
- The player has been competing with Luca Del Bel Belluz for a fourth-line spot.
What It Means
The move suggests Columbus is prioritizing roster flexibility and chemistry over Voronkov’s underlying performance metrics. By listening to offers, the team signals that he does not fit their current forward depth chart, particularly with younger players like Del Bel Belluz emerging. This also indicates a willingness to clear salary or acquire assets, although Voronkov’s contract is not a significant cap burden.
What's Next
Columbus will continue to evaluate incoming trade offers. If no suitable deal materializes, Voronkov may remain on the roster, potentially competing for a spot on the fourth line or power play unit in the coming weeks.