Here is an article on Marchenko by Kevin Wong at Dobber Prospects.
There has been a significant amount of buzz surrounding 20-year-old Kirill Marchenko in recent weeks. He has recently played first-line minutes with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL and has become a marquee prospect of the Blue Jackets as a result of his recent success.
The most noteworthy element of Marchenko’s game is his consistency on the backcheck.
Although he has tallied 10 goals and 18 points in 27 games so far this season with SKA St. Petersburg — a marginal improvement over last season’s totals — Marchenko’s determination and wherewithal on the defensive side were the standout aspects of his performance in our footage. Nearly every time the puck came back into his own zone, he was present to support his defensemen. Often, when the opponent carried the puck into his end, he would trail immediately behind to provide an additional barrier against cross-seam passes as well as to force the puck carrier wide. On a few occasions, Marchenko skated all the way down to his own goal line to provide defensive support.
These displays of defensive commitment should bode well for the 20-year-old prospect as he adjusts to the NHL game and establishes trust between himself and the coaching staff of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Despite Marchenko’s steady rate of point production, however, his offensive game lacks certain line-driving qualities that one might want from a top offensive talent. While he possesses good speed and carries the puck with poise, there were no moments in this game when he took control of the play and dictated the pace of action. There has been quite a lot of buzz about his game this season. The excitement is justified, and his transition to the NHL will be made easier by the completeness of his game. However, as far as his offensive output is concerned, one may wish to temper their expectations for now.
At this point in time, he tends to rely to a certain extent on his linemates to generate opportunities in transition. Meanwhile, he prefers to hover in the low slot in search of rebounds and high-percentage chances. He possesses quick hands in tight spaces and on numerous occasions was able to maneuver around an opposing player in the low slot before snapping a quick shot on goal. He also provides good forechecking pressure in the corners of the offensive zone. Thus, he has spent time on SKA’s powerplay and has played significant even-strength minutes alongside scorer Linden Vey.
The former 49th overall, second-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft has certainly become one of the more noteworthy prospects this season in the KHL. As he continues to develop, it will be worth paying attention to whether he can add some individual flair and offensive confidence to his repertoire.
