Kirill Marchenko took the step we hoped to see as Columbus Blue Jackets fans this season. Marchenko may have only slightly exceeded his goal output from a year ago (23 this year vs 21 last year), but he far exceeded his assist total, particularly at 5v5 (3 5v5 assists in 22-23 vs 15 in 23-24). Marchenko did this despite a reduction in shooting percentage and a marginal increase in ice time (up 14 seconds year over year). He showed real promise with linemates Dmitry Voronkov and Yegor Chinakhov while leading the team in power play goals with nine (by my count, his 9 power play goals are t-43 in the league, one fewer on the year than Kyle Palmieri and Nick Schmaltz). If Marchenko can continue to develop, however, he is on track to be a legit middle six and power play threat for the Blue Jackets as they continue to power out of this rebuild.
2023-24 Stats
Games: 78
Goals: 23
Assists:19
Points: 42
Plus/Minus: -5
PIM: 14
5v5 Corsi%: 49.3
5v5 Fenwick%: 48..0
Off Zone Start %: 57.0
Contract
Kirill Marchenko is a restricted free agent this offseason and is arbitration eligible. This means that he can choose to accept a one year deal that an arbitrator decides on the value of and become a UFA next offseason, or sign a multi-year extension that buys some of his UFA years. Marchenko’s contract is one of many balls in the air the new general manager must juggle once hired by the team’s leadership brass.
High Point
Marchenko earned a hat trick, his only one of the season, in a December win at Buffalo.
Low Point
Marchenko was a -4, the only Blue Jacket to be worse than a -2, in a 5-2 loss on the road to the Philadelphia Flyers that dropped the Jackets to 4-11-4. Marchenko was on the ice for four goals against, took a penalty that led to 5th goal against, only had two shots on goal, and posted his worst +/- of the season.
Report Card
B+: Marchenko led the Blue Jackets in goals this year, finished 3rd in points behind Werenski and Gaudreau, led the team in power play goals, and continued to blossom into an NHL playmaker. If he can continue his offensive production while finding more consistent ice time and development in his 200 foot game, Marchenko has the promise to be a signiicant piece of the Jackets when they are ready to make their push to return to the playoffs.