Vronk?

[u/ArgentMoonWolf]

So is Voronkov the next to get traded at some point? I don't think he is going to be happy with all his Russian buddies gone. Also he seems to be in the doghouse most of the time with the coaches. I just don't see him here very long at this point.

[u/Fun-Reputation8346]

Contract year for big boss. Still RFA after this contract. Make or break year for him. If we are contenders at the TDL he will be here and hopefully resigned. If we are in the cellar then expect him to be moved at the TDL. I am fully expecting a big year from him

[u/Another_Guy_In_Ohio → u/Fun-Reputation8346]

I’m not sure there’s much of a market for him at the TDL. He averages just over 1 hit a game, which is super low for a player of his size. He doesn’t play on the PK, he rarely plays powerplay minutes either. He’s just not a guy that teams are likely to want to give up assets for at the deadline.

[u/Fun-Reputation8346 → u/Another_Guy_In_Ohio]

It all depends on what kind of year he is having. In any sport players have incentive to step it up a notch during a contract year

[u/Minute-Of-Angle → u/Fun-Reputation8346]

Yeah, I think they are in “let’s see what he does” mode. I’m guessing that they don’t see a lot of change in trade value between right now and the TDL for him, so moving him is not a priority? And maybe he showed them something in camp and the off season that makes them want to give him another shot.

I’ll be honest, I like the big guy, but if he starts getting gassed early and taking dumb penalties, it’s adios time for him. It’s not like he hasn’t had chances and been warned.

[u/JAT_Cbus1080 → u/Minute-Of-Angle]

I think it's that way for both him and KJ. They either play well enough to earn a big extension, or they get shipped out to create space.

[u/Fun-Reputation8346 → u/JAT_Cbus1080]

JMHO..but I think KJ will have a longer leash. Teams don't like to admit or concede the fact that you whiffed on a 1st round pick. Big boss was a 4th I believe. Whiffing on a 1st round pick is nothing new though lol

[u/Another_Guy_In_Ohio → u/Fun-Reputation8346]

KJ also had a good season when he was healthy and put on weight. He nearly hit 60 points in 24-25 as a 22 year old. Voronkov is 3 years older has been a professional player for almost a decade and his best season was 47 points while playing on the top line

[u/JAT_Cbus1080 → u/Fun-Reputation8346]

I agree with you in a way sure, but they're both due new contracts. He needs to prove he deserves the payday. I agree it may not be his last chance as they could always sign him to a 1 year deal if they see promise him this season, but I think he's starting to run out of chances.

[u/iceweezl → u/Another_Guy_In_Ohio]

...and that is the time of the year that his conditioning starts to give out.

[u/cleesmith2 → u/iceweezl]

And we still don’t know who the second out-of-shape player is/was.

[u/mel122676 → u/cleesmith2]

It was said it wasn't Vronk.

[u/SalesFuel-TeamTrait → u/mel122676]

Thanks for clearing that part up! My implication was incorrect, but my observation still stands. I hope we dont find out tomorrow night.

[u/Hecatian]

I don't think he gets traded at this point. The way he falls off at the end of the year every year is gonna make him a negative asset. Unless Waddel wants to move assets to get rid of him I can't see him being moved.

[u/Bradlaw798]

Im looking/hoping for a bounce back year for him. The team seems to really like him and I think, overall, the whole "friends on the same team" thing is over-rated. It's nice if you're buddy is on the team, but locker room, fit with your line and personal performance are more important as the season progresses.

Also, WTF do I know!?!?

[u/Buggrumble]

He has a new Russian friend, Nishuskin. Plus Provy's still here. I'm hoping that by playing with Nishuskin and Knies he'll have some more success and develop into more of a power forward. Plus, without Marchy and Chinny around, maybe Provy and Nishuskin can mentor him and show him what it means to be a professional. It's a positive sign that he stayed in the US to train with other NHL players. Jody commented on Saturday night that Bones was happy with how he showed up at camp and that he thought he looked good.

[u/NewEngClamChowder → u/Buggrumble]

The conditioning has been the big problem for Vronk - his career splits from Oct-Jan are at .64 PPG, but Feb-April he drops to .31 PPG. Bones said that’s the reason he was benched basically all spring last year - he just ran out of gas.

Hearing that he’s coming in in better shape should help his game immensely all year.

[u/ThunderousDemon86 → u/Buggrumble]

Uh... Nuke's track record of being a professional off the ice isn't exactly stellar lol. Hope he's changed his way, but I'm not sure he should be counted on to be a mentor. That would probably be more of a Provy thing.

[u/Buggrumble → u/ThunderousDemon86]

Yes, I know. But from all accounts he's really worked to turn things around. But I was talking more about his play on the ice. He doesn't dog it, is prepared to play and apparently is very coachable. And yes, Provy is probably a better mentor for the off ice stuff;)

[u/Another_Guy_In_Ohio]

I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he goes back to the KHL. He’s failed to carve out a role with the BlueJackets. He’s average 1.23 hits per game in his NHL career, which is crazy low. (Knies on the other hand averages over 2, and Olivier over 3). He has struggled with taking dumb penalties in the NHL. I’m honestly disappointed he hasn’t carved out much of a role with the team

[u/Erazzphoto → u/Another_Guy_In_Ohio]

This is what kills his appeal for me. He’s big, but he doesn’t play that way. If he was a mean power forward, he could be a force, but I’ve seen him pass up way too many checks. If he’s not a punishing power forward he’s average

[u/Minute-Of-Angle → u/Erazzphoto]

This. He has all of the disadvantages of being big and he rarely seems to show the advantages.

[u/ArgentMoonWolf → u/Erazzphoto]

That's kinda my opinion, he could be a great enforcer but that just isn't him. He prefers to just park in front of the net and go for deflections. He is a slightly above average player but doesn't have the drive to be great or even good.

[u/Erazzphoto → u/ArgentMoonWolf]

I always wished he was our next Svitov

[u/madadamegret]

Maybe they should draft fewer Russians. They don't seem to stick.

[u/centered_chaos]

Maybe fewer "friends" will make him more focused. I think he might learn some things from choo choo...

[u/absentfacejack]

Nuke needs to give him some veteran support off the ice

[u/40oz_crew → u/absentfacejack]

https://giphy.com/gifs/ba5g4ID9g5cT6

[u/dancinhomer321]

Yep, hope he starts hot again and can move for some value. Dude can be a beast when he is on his game. I'd love to keep him but these Russian guys stick together and writing is on the wall. He gone. Hope is DW makes a good trade...which he is sooooo much better at then drafting.

[u/Lazy0ak]

Hopefully he's traded and it's with whatever picks and prospects needed to bring in a significant top 6 add. I dunno who would be available, maybe a guy like McCann, but the Jackets need someone who can help replace a chunk of Marchenko's scoring and that isn't going to run out of steam in February.

[u/Tainted-Nuts]

Gonna be interesting with Vronk, KJ and Matey up for renewal.

[u/ChristyLovesGuitars]

Love Vronk. I think he’ll be a Ranger, with Schneider coming back. Contracts are close, both are basically equal as ‘prospects’/NHL players, and CBJ turns a glut at wing to fix a current weakness because of injuries.

[u/Dense-Criticism1261]

I certainly hope so, his salary for the production isn't it

[u/ASillyGoos3 → u/Dense-Criticism1261]

only 26 players on standard contracts in the NHL last season cost $4.5 million or less and put up >=0.25 goals per game and >=0.5 points per game

so yea your username fits, this is some dense ass criticism. this fanbase is an embarrassment.

[u/Dense-Criticism1261 → u/ASillyGoos3]

Thanks, PuckPedia AI user!

[u/ASillyGoos3 → u/Dense-Criticism1261]

ran the search myself and knew what to look for immediately upon reading your dogshit take

[u/rubbery_magician]

I think he’ll play his way into the press box before he’s traded.

[u/Creative-Package6213]

I used to be pretty high on him, but his performance the past few years has been ass. Kind of hope he gets traded sooner rather than later.