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CBJ Player Profile — Joona Luoto + Voronkov, KJ/Marchy Snubbed?? |
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To continue with the player profile series, we have landed on something I have not considered upon announcing the series - Group 6 free agents.
The summer comes so quick, I forgot about this part of the market due to lack of pro games played by x amount of years (age).
Columbus has three - Lane Pederson (already covered), Joona Luoto, and Justin Richards.
This will cover the former Winnipeg Jet in Luoto, the recent signing, and the Calder results.
Player Profile - Joona Luoto
Joona Luoto is an undrafted Finland native that had his first return season to North America since the 2019-2020 season.
Luoto joined the NHL as a undrafted winger out of the Finnish elite league, and signed with the Winnipeg Jets, making this his second stint with Pascal Vincent behind the bench; and forwards Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic.
The Tampere native had no points and a -3 rating in 16 games with the Jets. He also had 2 goals and 6 assists in 29 games with the AHL Manitoba Moose.
Aside representing his country, his time in development was with Tappara for about 95% of his time in Finland.
In his first season with Columbus, he had one goal in 7 games; and 25 points in 45 games with Cleveland.
He may be back in an AHL middle six forward role, but more money should be available if he went back to Finland and was with family.
CBJ Sign F Voronkov to ELC
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Dmitri Voronkov to a two year, entry-level contract.
Voronkov, 23, was a fourth round draft selection, 114th overall, in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The Russian forward has spent the last five years with Ak Barns Kazan of the KHL. He has been around a 0.75 point per game average in his tenure, and over a point per game with developmental.
He adds depth to the offense, and will get his first season with the North American ice. Without seeing him on a small surface, I see him as a middle six forward on the Monsters, but the ceiling could go higher.
KJ/ Marchenko < Power/Beniers/Skinner
What a race to the finish in the Calder Memorial Trophy race for Rookie of the Year in the NHL. Michigan alumni Owen Power and Marty Beniers made it over Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko on the ballot.
Beniers is the least surprising given his season with Seattle.
Stuart Skinner was an All Star.
Owen Power - the Sabres’ defender was drafted first overall in 2021, ahead of Beniers, the likely winner, and Kent Johnson. Power had 35 points in 79 games, with a plus +10 rating.
Kent Johnson - more points that Power in same games, less penalty minutes, but a minus.
Kirill Marchenko - 20 less games, but third in rookie goal scoring behind Beniers and Johnston.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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