Star Rookie Makes Decision on Whether to Return Home
Despite his excellent play in his first season in the NHL, Columbus Blue Jackets rookie Dmitry Voronkov has been the cause of some major tension for the team over the past couple of weeks. It can now be put to rest.
Blue Jackets Rookie Makes Decision on Whether to Stay with Team
Voronkov has an out clause on his current contract that allows him to return home to Russia on or before Dec. 31, 2023. Even after securing a regular spot in the Blue Jackets lineup, there were reports that Voronkov, 23, was very homesick and was seriously considering using it. Columbus head coach Pascal Vincent confirmed those reports. However, Voronkov's agent now says the player "has done a 180."
Columbus Rookie Decides to Stay After Considering Leaving to Go Home
Voronkov had played several season for Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL before he decided to make the jump to North America. Besides his homesickness, there is also a language barrier as Voronkov speaks very little English. That said, it looks like any concern regarding him using his out clause can be put to bed, and he can continue to get better in the best league in the world.
| POLL | ||
DÉCEMBRE 2 | 75 ANSWERS Star Rookie Makes Decision on Whether to Return Home Is this the right decision for Voronkov? | ||
| Yes | 23 | 30.7 % |
| No | 26 | 34.7 % |
| Not sure | 26 | 34.7 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Brandon Hagel | - | 5 | 5 | |
| Sebastian Aho | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Nico Hischier | 3 | - | 3 | |
| Macklin Celebrini | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Jakob Chychrun | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Seth Jarvis | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Zachary Bolduc | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Will Cuylle | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Lars Eller | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Jake Guentzel | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Alex Iafallo | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Ivan Ivan | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Ivan Barbashev | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Drake Batherson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Simon Edvinsson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jack Eichel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Morgan Frost | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Shayne Gostisbehere | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Miro Heiskanen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 22 | 18 | 4 | - | 36 | |
Devils | 24 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 32 | |
Hurricanes | 21 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 31 | |
Wild | 21 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 30 | |
Golden Knights | 22 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 30 | |
Capitals | 21 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 29 | |
Maple Leafs | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 28 | |
Flames | 22 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 27 | |
Stars | 20 | 13 | 7 | - | 26 | |
Rangers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||