The Blue Jackets have been one of the NHL's biggest surprises this year. Currently locked into a tight battle for a wild card spot in this year's playoffs, the team feels completely rejuvenated. One of the main reasons for the big turn around? Kirill Marchenko has been playing like an elite two-way forward this season.
It seems like we had to wait forever for Marchenko to get to this level. In reality, this is what it takes to develop a young player and get the most out of the pick - something we haven't seen enough of in Blue Jackets history. The team drafted him in the second round (#49 overall), in 2018.
We then waited four years for his North American debut, which came at the start of the 2022-23 season. Then, he had to spend some time in the AHL, where the Jackets thought he might need some time to adjust to the smaller ice and more physical game.
He quickly made the necessary adjustments, and after just 16 games (19 points) with the Cleveland Monsters; made his NHL debut in December of 2022. He has not looked back. Now in his third NHL season, Marchy is a polished 24 year old, with 120 points (64 goals) in 187 games.
His points total is now good enough for 11th in his draft class, just three behind Philipp Kurashev for a spot inside the top-10. This is in spite of the fact that many (almost all) of the players around him have played 100+ more career NHL games.
But, it's not just offense with Kirill Marchenko. He has an infectious smile and an adoring personality, that seems to be appreciated both inside the locker room and from a fan perspective. Contrary to his friendly demeanor, he also competes hard on the ice and plays a strong physical game - just ask Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies. Wait, there's more...
This season, Kirill Marchenko has added two-way dominance to his game.
It's not a stat that everyone loves, but take this into consideration for a moment: Kirill Marchenko's +29 leads the entire NHL in plus/minus. He's doing this while playing for a team that sits, basically, even on the season. Every other player inside the top-10, plays for a team that is, at worst +15 overall (Florida). Some (Washington, Winnipeg) are +50 or better.
If we dig deeper, his advanced stats are really good as well. Per Moneypuck, his Corsi rating is 58%, his on-ice xGF% is 57.8%, and his overall on-ice goal differential (including special teams) is +50, which is second in the NHL behind only Edmonton's Leon Draisatl.
No matter how deep you dive into the numbers, it's all there. Kirill has become a complete two-way player, and he is the biggest reason for the success of the top line of the Blue Jackets this season. Certainly, having a capable center in Sean Monahan for much of the year has helped. As has Dmitri Voronkov, who in his own right has become a two-way beast on this team.
But through the long rebuild, it's Marchenko who has established himself as one of the most valuable core pieces of this team's future. Not bad from a guy who was drafted in the second round, well before the rebuild even kicked off.