Rumors around Dmitri Voronkov have already pushed the Blue Jackets into trade-board mode, and the latest buzz has only made it louder. Pierre LeBrun posted on X that teams are calling about Voronkov, and he is also expected to be a scratch in the next game on Saturday.
Voronkov’s season has not matched the expectations attached to his profile. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound forward has only two points this season while averaging 11:44 of ice time. He has looked quicker, but he still does not quite resemble the player he was in the last few seasons.
The bigger sample still shows a useful NHL scorer. In his first 211 games, Voronkov has 58 goals and 113 points, including 21 power-play goals.
Columbus had hoped that adding Val Nichushkin might help unlock him. The offense has not really exploded for either player, though their line was arguably the best against Toronto on Tuesday night.
One possible trade fit being floated is Calgary, with a return built around Connor Zary and a third-round pick.
Zary, drafted 24th overall in 2020, has played 193 NHL games and posted 39 goals and 48 assists for 87 points. After clearing waivers in early October, he is currently with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers.
The appeal is pretty clear: he brings playmaking, vision, a deceptive shot, strong work rate, and the kind of 200-foot game that can slot into different roles. He can also play center or wing and contribute on special teams.
There are concerns, too. Zary’s skating stride is described as a little choppy or hunched, which limits his edge work and top-end burst. He also is not viewed as a super-explosive offensive star, but rather a smart, steady producer who wins with positioning and hockey sense.
From Columbus’ side, the logic is straightforward. Zary’s versatility and high-IQ game fit Rick Bowness’ competitive system better than Voronkov’s current usage.
Moving Voronkov’s $4.175 million cap hit would also clear room heading into next summer’s free agency, while Zary being an RFA at season’s end gives Don Waddell control over a bridge deal or longer-term contract. The extra mid-round pick adds more flexibility for a future re-tool.
Calgary’s case is about size and role fit. Voronkov would give the Flames immediate board presence and net-front muscle that their current middle six lacks.
The idea is that, in top-nine minutes, he has already shown he can score 20-plus goals in the NHL. Put him next to a playmaker like Mikael Backlund or Jonathan Huberdeau, and he could create matchup problems against opposing second and third pairs.
Calgary also has enough cap space to take on his expiring $4.175 million hit without Columbus retaining salary.
The Blue Jackets are back home Saturday against the Vegas Golden Knights.
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What stood out afterward was how differently that kind of boos-and-chanting atmosphere has been received elsewhere in the league. Brady Tkachuk drew a louder, more openly confrontational reaction in Ottawa, and the response around that scene was far more approving than the way some people viewed Columbus fans treatment of Marchenko. The contrast says plenty about how NHL crowds are judged depending on the story attached to the player, and it leaves the Blue Jackets tied to a conversation that is bigger than one return game. [Read more 🡒]