The Columbus Blue Jackets face a critical need for every player to contribute if they want to secure a spot in the 2025-26 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Among the team, Dmitri Voronkov stands out as a player whose improved consistency could be pivotal for their postseason ambitions, especially as his performance and ice time have fluctuated since Rick Bowness became head coach.
Voronkov’s Challenges and Role Under New Coaching
Dmitri Voronkov has yet to find steady footing in Rick Bowness’s system, with his stats reflecting a downturn in recent games. Over the last twelve contests with Bowness behind the bench, Voronkov has recorded only one goal and two assists, and his time on ice has diminished compared to his role under former coach Dean Evason. His positioning has been inconsistent, ranging from the fourth line to recent appearances in the top-six forwards.
Despite these struggles, Voronkov remains a significant threat on the ice, especially near the opponent’s net. He is currently three goals shy of reaching 20 this season and leads the Blue Jackets in power-play goals with seven—three more than teammate Charlie Coyle. His size—standing 6-foot-5 and weighing over 230 pounds—gives him an edge in physical battles, and many view him as a playoff-caliber player whose presence can influence pivotal games.
Bowness has sought to reignite Voronkov’s output by placing him on the second line alongside Sean Monahan and Kent Johnson, aiming to leverage their combined talents. However, a lack of consistent performance has limited Voronkov’s effectiveness, compounded by challenges in communication. Bowness mentioned language barriers as a factor that requires careful attention when coaching Voronkov, emphasizing the need for clear guidance to avoid misunderstandings.
“The language is still an issue,”
Bowness said.
“So when I talk to him, I make sure something’s not getting lost in translation. But he’s a big, strong, physical guy. He works very hard and when he’s going to the net and he’s banging bodies on the forecheck, he’s a very effective guy. We just want him to use his size to his advantage. He scores a lot of goals from around the net. We just got to get him there a little bit more. And the puck’s got to get there when he’s there.”
Bowness acknowledged that part of Voronkov’s reduced ice time stems from the coach’s limited familiarity with the player. Adjusting to new personnel takes time, and the coach has been experimenting with line combinations to find the right fit.
“That was me not knowing him very well,”
Bowness explained.
“He started on one line. We moved him up. He had a couple of good shifts one game and a couple of good games. We moved him back up with (Monahan) and we’re going to keep him there for a while, see if we can get his minutes up.”
Another factor limiting Voronkov’s ice time involves penalty kills, especially given Monahan’s role in killing penalties. Bowness pointed out that frequent penalties negatively impact the second line’s availability.
“One of the issues is ice time for (Voronkov) and (Johnson) is that Monahan kills a lot of penalties. Then so you have to give Monahan a rest. If we take too many penalties, they’re losing ice time because of the penalties. We took three penalties in the second period (in the game before the Olympic break) which is upsetting but then that affects the other guys’ ice time. We have to stay out of the box so we can utilize that line a little bit better.”
Insights from Voronkov’s Linemates
The line pairing Voronkov with Monahan and Johnson carries considerable promise, blending different skill sets that could complement one another well. Although consistent chemistry has yet to develop fully, both linemates are confident in Voronkov’s strengths and remain hopeful about unlocking his full potential.
“He can play a man’s game I think when he’s moving his feet,”
said Sean Monahan.
“He’s obviously hard to defend and hard to control down low. But I think the biggest thing is when he’s fully engaged, which he normally is, he’s such a smart player. He finds ways to create more room for his linemates. He finds ways to get open, get a stick available. A lot of guys don’t even realize the little things he can do.”
Kent Johnson echoed that view, highlighting Voronkov’s effectiveness near the net and in puck battles.
“I think for him, he’s unreal around the net and unreal at winning battles,”
Johnson stated.
“Puck protection. (He’s) really good in the neutral zone finding the guys with speed. For me, it should be a good fit. What he does with Marchenko a lot, finding him in the neutral zone. Hopefully, he’s able to find me like that. Especially that St. Louis game, he’s finding me all the time and helps me.”
“For me, it’s just playing my game and getting pucks near the net and doing my thing skating around and making plays. It can help him and it can help me a lot too. So I think it could be a great fit.”
The Importance of Voronkov’s Impact Moving Forward
Voronkov’s influence on the ice could be a crucial factor in determining how deep the Blue Jackets advance in the upcoming playoff race. Recent matchups, including a 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins, showcased the team’s top line—featuring Mason Marchment, Adam Fantilli, and Vladislav Marchenko—as the primary offensive contributors. In contrast, the Monahan line must step up to diversify scoring and energy on the ice, with Voronkov positioned to unsettle opponents and open scoring chances.
As the regular season tightens, every goal and impactful play will carry more weight, placing a premium on Voronkov’s ability to consistently use his size and skill to drive results. The Blue Jackets’ coaching staff recognizes that unlocking his best form will be vital, especially starting with their next game against the New York Islanders.
Dmitri Voronkov’s return to consistent, dominant play may well determine how competitive Columbus remains in the fierce battle for a playoff berth. By leveraging his physical presence and offensive talents, the Blue Jackets hope to enhance their lineup’s depth and become a more formidable opponent as the postseason approaches.
