Player Discussion: Dmitri Voronkov
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TaketheCannoli
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Thanks - FWIW I loved watching Svitov play. I was excited when the Jackets traded for him - loved the way he supported his teammates and I was disappointed when he decided to sign in Russia.I'm not DSL but I've tried to follow him the last couple years. I'll also qualify this by saying I am not a scout, nor expert on the finer points of skating
His size and ability to go to the corners and play in front of the net are very much needed by Columbus and a big strength for him. If you recall Alexander Svitov, he's very similar in game play in my opinion but I think he's shown a little more skill. His skating was a concern but it looked a little better this past year. I still have concern in the NHL with the fast pace of play but think he's smart enough (not high IQ but he knows where to go and he can get there, just clunky - again, my opinion). He's shown the ability to score in a tough scoring league and will be a great presence on the ice to support his teammates.
I'm probably higher on him than many but I think his game will translate well but I don't think he has top 6 scoring upside. Hard to tell at this point. I think his skating still needs to improve and he'll need to adjust to the system and new players so I expect a slow start but by mid year I would not be surprised if he's noticeable (in a good way) and keeps a permanent job.
I hope the Jackets can get someone to help improve his skating and allow him to have a solid middle 6 presence here.
Getting some lessons from Gudbranson and maybe even Shelley will be good for him too. A lot of his fights are highly entertaining but very emotional. I love that he doesnt hesitate for a second to defend teammates.
Farmboy Patty
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I’m very curious about Voronkov as a physical player. My dream scenario is that he’s a smart enough player to gel with line mates on the 2:nd line, and create some well needed havoc now and then with his physical play. I’m hoping for him to establish himself as an opportunistic wrecking ball which would be awesome to have on a scoring line.I'm not DSL but I've tried to follow him the last couple years. I'll also qualify this by saying I am not a scout, nor expert on the finer points of skating
His size and ability to go to the corners and play in front of the net are very much needed by Columbus and a big strength for him. If you recall Alexander Svitov, he's very similar in game play in my opinion but I think he's shown a little more skill. His skating was a concern but it looked a little better this past year. I still have concern in the NHL with the fast pace of play but think he's smart enough (not high IQ but he knows where to go and he can get there, just clunky - again, my opinion). He's shown the ability to score in a tough scoring league and will be a great presence on the ice to support his teammates.
I'm probably higher on him than many but I think his game will translate well but I don't think he has top 6 scoring upside. Hard to tell at this point. I think his skating still needs to improve and he'll need to adjust to the system and new players so I expect a slow start but by mid year I would not be surprised if he's noticeable (in a good way) and keeps a permanent job.
The highly emotional part is a big plus really. His fans and his teammates will appreciate it just as much as or more than they'd appreciate a technical fighter.
I just mean that can get you in trouble against the big boys. So yes entertaining but certainly opens you up to eat some damage too
Farmboy Patty
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Farmboy Patty
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To add on that, a scrappy player doesn’t need to be a fighter to agitate or retaliate. The smart ones step away from that unless it’s really warranted.
Farmboy Patty
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Don't forget Olivier. Plus Jenner isn't the darlings of the opposition either.
To Voronkov. An opponent only, figuratively speaking, look bad at Dima's teammate and... see above.
Babcock said he would like to join Laine and Fantilli in one line. I prefer Voronkov as the third. 
To Voronkov. An opponent only, figuratively speaking, look bad at Dima's teammate and... see above.
Babcock said he would like to join Laine and Fantilli in one line. I prefer Voronkov as the third.
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Certainly feels like it. I don't think Marchenko is a good comparable - his language skills (ability to learn languages) seems very good and stands out among our other Russians to me. Voronkov is a bit older so maybe he's not afraid to try to speak the language, but I have a feeling he'll join Chinny and Tarasov in the quiet club. Hopefully Marchenko can push them all forward a bit.
Farmboy Patty
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I have no doubt that the coaching staff will get their message through in training camp with drills or systems. The rest is just hockey language, which should be pretty simple and intuitional when you’re at the pro level.
Guess I have more doubt, then. Less so with the drills and to some extent systems (but if you don't understand the language, you're unlikely to understand the reasons behind such systems and the finer details - which might not matter in Voronkov's case admittedly). But it's hard to give one's best if you're not comfortable in the environment and talking with linemates becomes harder (which is why I wouldn't be surprised to see him paired with either Marchenko or Chinakhov - and if the latter, possibly start in the AHL).
It's nothing new of course and there's always a Kaprizov to throw a wrench in this theory, but I think it's a factor in the performance of middle/bottom-6 players who are just a bit less gifted naturally than the top line guys. Either way interesting to follow his on-ice development and his off-ice development!
CBJWerenski8
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niflheim
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CBJWerenski8
Rest in Peace Johnny
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Doggy
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I was so excited when it was first announced he was finally coming over from Russia. I was excited through the summer as well.
Based on his prospects tournament, training camp and start in Cleveland I am getting the impression he is really not ready. If currently his only contribution is hitting people, then swapping Laine for Hanson Brother #1 is a bad idea.
We shouldn’t simply promote him now because he has a clause in his contract with an expiration date. I also don’t love the message it sends to the other guys in Cleveland who are working hard and being productive.
I guess the biggest plus for Dima will be having Russian speaking teammates like Marchenko, Provorov, Chinny and Elvis. I don’t think there’s even one in Cleveland right now.
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I don't mind it & don't think it sends a bad message. His AHL teammates are probably rooting for him, he's getting a shot. Many of them have had their shot(s) already or will soon. Maybe he'll stick maybe he won't, but I don't think it hurts to see what he can do in real NHL action. If he's not good and they keep him up, then I'll have gripes.
I hope we had someone in Cleveland translating for him so the work the coaches are doing with him can be communicated properly. I want to say "I'm sure we do" but you never know. We're a real Mickey Mouse organization in a lot of depressing ways.
EDIT: NOT TALKING ABOUT TEAMMATE INTERACTIONS. TALKING ABOUT COACHING AND ADMIN STAFF. THIS POST JUST MADE ME THINK ABOUT THAT. NOT TEAMMATES. SORRY TO BE CONFUSING AND IMPRECISE.
Personally I'd love to see him lay a hit on Gudas tonight early. No messing with our skill guys with the Iron Curtain coming at you.
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Doggy
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I can't say I agree with your thoughts on this at all...except that his AHL teammates are rooting for him. Rooting against him would make no sense. That doesn't mean they won't look at his promotion and think 'what about me, Dima is clearly not ready and I have been way more effective". I have never been a professional athlete but I have played competitive sports and while I always rooted for my teammates, I can't say I didn't sometimes look at a player higher on the ladder than me and think "man I am better than him, why is he higher on the ladder".
Maybe one of our Monsters followers could offer us more insight. As for seeing what he can do in the NHL, he hasn't even shown he can do anything in the AHL. That's like saying, this kid is barely treading water in 8th grade, maybe we should bump him up to 11th grade just to see what he can do.
Giving this more thought, the CBJ already have enough bodies in the NHL and the Monsters don't play again until Saturday. Hopefully they are bringing Dima up to spend the week practicing with the big boys, sit in a fancy luxury box for the games, enjoy conversing in Russian with Marchenko, Provorov, Chinny and Elvis and then send him back to Cleveland for the weekend games.
I honestly think he can do more harm than good right now on the ice in Columbus. I could see him being frustrated with the speed of the game he's probably still not ready for, taking a dumb penalty and costing us a game., I hope he doesn't actually see the ice for an actual game...yet.
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I don't think the language thing is a big deal. He was talking to players fine during and after the game. Unless they were just shaking their heads in understanding to be polite. I am guessing he has at least a basic grasp of english.
