NHL Trade Rumours: Dmitri Voronkov Emerges As Next Columbus Blue Jackets Player Who Could Be Moved

Blue Jackets winger Dmitri Voronkov faces uncertain roster future© Getty via AFP

The Columbus Blue Jackets may not be done reshuffling their roster. Dmitri Voronkov, the 26-year-old Russian winger, has started drawing serious trade interest after being scratched from the lineup multiple times this season. NHL insider Chris Johnston placed him third on his latest trade board, and Pierre LeBrun confirmed that multiple teams have already reached out to Columbus. General manager Don Waddell acknowledged receiving calls, though he said no offer worth pursuing has arrived yet. That alone tells you something is brewing.

Voronkov's Fit Under Bowness Is the Real Question

This isn't simply about Voronkov struggling or falling out of favour. The bigger issue is whether he actually fits what head coach Rick Bowness wants from his forward group.

He brings size, physicality, and a track record of contributing offensively. For a contending team hunting a complementary top-nine forward, that profile has real appeal. He's not a pure scorer, but that's not really the point. Some teams need that added physical dimension on their wing, and Voronkov can provide exactly that.

For Columbus, the calculus is different. If Waddell sees a better stylistic fit available through a trade, moving Voronkov makes sense even if the organisation isn't dissatisfied with him as a player. This is less about giving up on someone and more about matching personnel to a specific system. The repeated healthy scratches suggest the fit isn't quite there right now, at least not under Bowness's current structure.

A Deal Could Move Faster Than People Expect

The Blue Jackets can't afford a slow start to drag into February. If the right offer comes in, Waddell isn't the type to let it sit.

The return would need to be fair, ideally a forward who offers something Voronkov doesn't. A more versatile player, or someone who slots more naturally into the offensive roles Bowness wants filled. Columbus doesn't need to panic-sell, but they also don't have the luxury of waiting forever.

No deal is close right now. Waddell has been clear that nothing concrete has landed on his desk. But the calls are coming in, the interest is genuine, and Voronkov keeps watching games from the press box. That combination rarely stays quiet for long.

If the right package materialises, he could be one of the more quietly significant trades of the early season, not a blockbuster, but the kind of move that tells you exactly where Columbus thinks it's headed.