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Columbus Blue Jackets winger Dmitri Voronkov was scratched again Saturday, October 31, against the Dallas Stars, adding another chapter to a developing NHL trade situation. The decision came one day after Chris Johnston ranked Voronkov third on his trade board, while Pierre LeBrun had already reported that other teams were contacting Columbus about the 26-year-old forward.
The Blue Jackets ultimately lost 3–1 in Dallas, dropping to 5–7–0. Voronkov, once considered an important part of Columbus’ young core, has now found himself outside the lineup multiple times despite scoring 23 goals just two seasons ago.
What makes this situation particularly interesting isn’t simply that Voronkov could be traded. It’s that Columbus must decide whether to move a physically imposing, proven NHL scorer while his market value is under pressure.
With a $4.175 million cap hit, another season of declining production and restricted free agency approaching in 2027, general manager Don Waddell has a decision that could have consequences well beyond the next few games.
Latest Dmitri Voronkov Trade Rumors: What Has Been Reported
The speculation became more substantial on October 22 when Pierre LeBrun reported that teams had contacted the Blue Jackets to explore Voronkov’s availability.
LeBrun emphasized that a trade was not guaranteed. Columbus was listening, not necessarily shopping the player aggressively or approaching an agreement.
That distinction matters.
There’s an important difference between general managers answering calls and a front office deciding a player no longer fits its plans.
On October 30, Chris Johnston elevated the discussion by placing Voronkov third on his latest trade board, as detailed by The Hockey News.
Johnston’s assessment highlighted the considerable distance between Voronkov’s physical and offensive potential and his current performance.
Then came Saturday’s lineup decision.
The official NHL lineup report for October 31 listed Voronkov among Columbus’ scratches against Dallas.
This was not his first removal from the lineup. He had already been scratched during the October 17–18 back-to-back games and again on October 29 against Carolina.
Saturday’s decision came with an important qualification: Columbus dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen as Ivan Provorov returned from injury. That roster configuration affected the available forward positions.
Nevertheless, the repeated scratches are significant because they show that Voronkov has not established a reliable place in Rick Bowness’ lineup.
There is still no verified trade agreement, publicly identified current bidder or confirmed asking price. But the combination of outside interest and limited playing opportunities gives the speculation a meaningful foundation.
Why Columbus Faces a Difficult Decision
When the Blue Jackets signed Voronkov to his two-year extension in July 2025, Waddell publicly described him as an important piece of the organization’s young core.
That optimism was understandable.
Voronkov stands 6-foot-5, plays a heavy game and has demonstrated the ability to finish around the net. He also offers a physical presence that is difficult to replace with a smaller, more conventional scoring winger.
During the 2024–25 season, he produced 23 goals and 47 points in 73 games.
Those numbers suggested a player capable of becoming a dependable middle-six scoring threat, particularly when paired with skilled linemates and given opportunities near the crease.
But his role has changed.
Last season, Voronkov finished with 17 goals and 32 points in 63 games. Through eight appearances in 2026–27, he has recorded two assists and no goals.
The production decline is concerning, although eight games is much too small a sample to establish that his scoring ability has permanently disappeared.
The larger issue is opportunity.
Columbus now has numerous options on the wing, including Matthew Knies, Valeri Nichushkin, Kent Johnson, Conor Garland and Mathieu Olivier.
The competition for playing time is genuine, and Bowness must assemble combinations he believes give the Blue Jackets the best chance to win.
From my perspective, this creates a difficult cycle for Voronkov.
A player needs meaningful ice time to rebuild confidence and scoring momentum. But a coach trying to win games cannot promise opportunities solely to rebuild a player’s trade value.
If Voronkov continues sitting in the press box, Columbus risks weakening its leverage with interested clubs.
If he receives another extended opportunity and responds offensively, the organization may reconsider whether trading him makes sense at all.
That is the central contradiction in this situation.
What Voronkov’s Salary Cap and Scoring Trend Reveal
Voronkov is playing the final season of a two-year, $8.35 million contract signed in July 2025.
According to PuckPedia’s contract database, his annual cap hit is $4.175 million, while his actual 2026–27 base salary is $4.35 million.
Those figures serve different purposes. The cap hit affects roster construction; the salary represents his contractual compensation for this season.
He is scheduled to become a restricted free agent with arbitration eligibility in 2027. PuckPedia lists his qualifying offer at $4.35 million.
That creates an interesting situation for a potential buyer.
Voronkov is not a traditional unrestricted free-agent rental. A team acquiring his rights would also acquire an opportunity to negotiate his next contract, subject to the applicable restricted free-agent rules.
However, control is only valuable if a team believes the player can justify his next salary.
A $4.175 million cap hit is manageable for a productive middle-six winger. It looks less attractive when that player is frequently scratched.
Consider the scoring progression:
- 2024–25: 23 goals, 47 points in 73 games.
- 2025–26: 17 goals, 32 points in 63 games.
- 2026–27: 0 goals, 2 points in 8 games through October 31.
These numbers reveal a decline in production, but they don’t establish its cause. Deployment, linemates, scoring opportunities and the limited early-season sample all deserve consideration.
Dmitri Voronkov: Scoring Trend
From a 47-point season to a difficult start in 2026-27. How far has his production fallen?
The most important question for potential buyers is not whether Voronkov has struggled this October.
It’s whether they believe they can restore the player who scored 23 goals two seasons ago.
What Could a Dmitri Voronkov Trade Look Like?
No specific trade package has been verified, and speculation about a potential return should be treated as analysis rather than reporting.
There are two broad possibilities worth examining.
Option 1: A Change-of-Scenery Trade
Columbus could consider exchanging Voronkov for another NHL player whose current role or development has stalled.
This type of move could make sense if both organizations believe a different coaching system or roster fit would help unlock a player’s potential.
For the Blue Jackets, the attraction would be obtaining someone capable of contributing immediately rather than waiting on a future draft pick.
The challenge is that Columbus would need to identify a similarly valued player who addresses a more pressing roster need.
Option 2: Trade for Future Assets
A rebuilding or retooling club might prefer draft picks or prospects.
But the Blue Jackets would be assuming a significant risk by accepting a modest return for a 26-year-old winger with established NHL scoring ability.
Voronkov’s size and history of production give him value beyond his current stat line.
And if another organization believes it can provide him with regular offensive-zone opportunities, Columbus could eventually regret moving him during a difficult stretch.
Why a Contending Team Might Be Interested
A team looking for additional size, net-front scoring and physicality could view Voronkov as an intriguing acquisition.
He is capable of helping on a scoring line when used effectively, and his contract does not require a long-term commitment at its current cap figure.
However, he would not be a guaranteed offensive upgrade.
Any acquiring club would need a realistic plan for his deployment and enough cap flexibility to accommodate the transaction.
The Blue Jackets should not expect a major return simply because Voronkov previously scored 23 goals. His recent production, remaining contract and current lineup status all influence what another general manager would be willing to surrender.
What Happens Next for Voronkov and the Blue Jackets?
The next meaningful development may arrive before another trade report.
Columbus hosts the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, November 3, and Voronkov’s status for that game will provide another indication of where he stands.
I would monitor three developments closely.
First, whether Voronkov returns to the lineup. One game would not solve everything, but an extended run with consistent linemates could help establish whether the relationship is recoverable.
Second, whether LeBrun, Johnston or another established reporter identifies a specific interested team. Actual negotiations or a reported offer would be more meaningful than another general trade-board appearance.
Third, whether Waddell publicly clarifies the organization’s plans. Columbus does not need to reveal its asking price, but management’s comments could help distinguish a temporary lineup issue from a longer-term change in direction.
For readers following the organization’s broader roster decisions, our Columbus Blue Jackets news and trade rumors page tracks developing stories throughout the season.
Final Take: Columbus Cannot Afford to Misjudge Voronkov’s Value
My concern for the Blue Jackets is that they could be approaching a classic sell-low decision.
Voronkov has already shown he can score in the NHL. His size, age and restricted free-agent status make him more interesting than an ordinary struggling veteran.
Yet those same qualities do not automatically make him indispensable.
If Bowness cannot find a consistent role for him, holding onto Voronkov indefinitely may be no better than trading him.
The smartest approach would be to determine whether this is a temporary performance issue or a genuine long-term roster mismatch.
If the answer is the latter, Columbus should pursue a return that reflects Voronkov’s demonstrated potential rather than his October scoring totals alone.
For now, the reported interest is real, another scratch has added urgency, and the Blue Jackets have a legitimate decision to make.
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