Welcome to the NHL, Dmitri Voronkov.
The 23-year-old forward, selected with the 114th overall pick in the 2019 Draft, is set to make his NHL debut on Thursday in Montreal as the 3-2-1 Blue Jackets face the 3-2-1 Canadiens.
Voronkov is no stranger to pro hockey after five seasons in Russia's KHL but made his North American pro debut in 2023-24 with the AHL's Cleveland Monsters, where he's registered an assist in four games.
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Voronkov is impossible to miss on the ice, and his size should translate immediately to the NHL, even if the other aspects of his game such as pace and skill take time to adjust.
I dont know if its going to be early. But at some point, this man will be a beast in the NHL. -#CBJ HC Pascal Vincent on Dmitri Voronkov. This play is an example of him being a beast, using his physicality to take the puck away and find Danforth. pic.twitter.com/3W9C2jfIf7
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 2, 2023
During training camp, Blue Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent spoke highly of Voronkov.
"I don't know if it's going to be early," Vincent said. "But at some point, this man will be a beast in the NHL."
Voronkov certainly has the physical tools to be a beast, but it's important to remember that Thursday will be just his fifth pro game in North America, so expectations should be tempered, although he should be able to establish himself as a physical presence.
According to the team's projected lines, Voronkov is slotted as a left-winger on a fourth line with Sean Kuraly and Mathieu Olivier.
#CBJ projected lines, per the team:
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 26, 2023
Gaudreau-Jenner-Roslovic
Texier-Fantilli-Bemstrom
Marchenko-Sillinger-Danforth
Voronkov*-Kuraly-Olivier
Werenski-Severson
Provorov-Jiricek
Bean-Gudbranson
Merzlikins
Martin
*Making his NHL debut tonight
Upon making his debut, Voronkov will be the ninth Blue Jacket under 25 years old to play in a game this season, highlighting the youth of this team. Not only are the Blue Jackets one of the league's youngest teams, but their young players, like Adam Fantilli, have been significant contributors thus far. They hope Voronkov will be just that one day.
Voronkov's ceiling at the NHL level is likely a dominant power forward, and it'll be interesting to see how his offensive game translates to the best league in the world.
