Columbus Blue Jackets, Kirill Marchenko Shows Why He Can Be A Star In The NHL

During the 2018 NHL Entry Level Draft, the Columbus Blue Jackets selected RW Kirill Marchenko from Russia. Like many Russian forwards, Marchenko’s scouting report said he was very skilled offensively and very light defensively, with a shoot-the-puck-first mentality. That mentality showed itself in Marchenko’s rookie season in Columbus, where in 59 games played, he scored 21 goals and 25 points but just four assists.

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Kirill Marchenko’s growth and development have been fun to watch. Called “selfish” by some during his rookie season, Marchenko’s second season saw a player who was less selfish while starting to be more reliable on the defensive end. 23 goals, 42 points, and 19 assists showed that the young forward was buying into being a better, more well-rounded player.

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This season in 41 games played (so far) Marchenko looks to push the 30-goal mark. 17 goals, 45 points, and 28 assists show a player who is on the verge of becoming an NHL star. To only focus on the offensive numbers would not do the player justice. Marchenko’s defense is now above passable. No longer shying away from scrums and battling for pucks, Marchenko is right in the middle of it and he has done a much better job of moving players away from the net.

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Now a fixture on Columbus’ top power play line, Marchenko gives the opposition another player to worry about. Marchenko has stated he would like to work his way on the penalty kill as well. There is little doubt he will get there at some point.

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Kirill Marchenko is a shining example of the Blue Jackets player development. He has maintained his offensive prowess while becoming an asset defensively and looks to be just scratching the surface of what he can do at both ends of the ice.

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Cover Photo: (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)