Thank you to the 70 readers who voted in this year’s countdown of the 25 best players in the Columbus Blue Jackets system under the age of 25. Today we continue with #21:
#21 Kirill Dolzhenkov
Voting
21st of 40
Total Points: 1650
Average Placement: 23.239
Last year: 24th (+3 difference)
Biography
Birthdate: April 20, 2004
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 223 lbs
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Left
Acquired: Drafted in Round 4 (Pick #109 overall) by Columbus in the 2022 NHL Draft
2024-25 Season
In his age 20 season, Dolzhenkov once again split time between CSKA Moskva of the KHL and their top minor league affiliate. He scored nine goals in 21 games in the minors and seven goals in 40 games in the KHL. Both were increases from the year before.
As I read the translated comments in the highlight video below, I also learned about an incident he had in the playoffs against former NHL-er Chris Tierney.
It’s dirty as hell (and explains how he earned 29 PIM in a 4-game series), but it also looks like the reaction of someone that was pushed past his limit.
2025-26 Outlook
Dolzhenkov will hopefully stick with the big club this time. Since he was drafted, I think we’ve all been intrigued by winger with his size. In addition to being huge, he can also skate and handle the puck very well. Like countryman Dmitri Voronkov, Dolzhenkov can get into the high traffic areas around the net and make good things happen. Like those other Russians, expect him to stay a few more years at home before giving the NHL a try, but once he does come over, he should be able to make an impact in the NHL quickly.