NHL News: Blue Jackets confirm they have re-signed a key player for head coach Dean Evason

The Columbus Blue Jackets are doubling down on their commitment to a young and promising core after a season in which their emerging talents clearly stood out. Head coach Dean Evason did not want this offseason to be a time for losing key pieces.

Next season, the 2025-26 NHL campaign, will mark the second year of the Evason era in Columbus. Expectations are focused on building a competitive structure that solidifies strong play in all areas of the ice.

After a long stint with the Minnesota Wild, Evason wants to give Columbus the stability needed to make a deep run next season. His reputation for disciplined work, player development, and balanced tactical structure is already evident—even in the front office’s decisions. In this context, the Blue Jackets have re-signed an important piece.

The player re-signed by the Blue Jackets

“The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Dmitri Voronkov to a two-year, $8.35 million contract through the 2026-27 season,” the team announced, locking in a new $4.175M AAV commitment for their promising forward during the offseason.

Dmitri Voronkov of the Blue Jackets

Voronkov leads the team in power-play goals and ranks third in goals and points over the last two seasons. His numbers also include an impressive 41 goals and 81 points in 148 NHL games, highlighting his growth since coming over from the KHL.

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Columbus strengthens its young core by securing a forward clearly on the rise, with the potential to become a power-play weapon and steady scoring contributor. Voronkov’s contract reinforces the team’s identity and aims to cement him as a central piece in their medium-term strategy.