Observations:

July 2017 – The way that the calm, cool and collected Russian plays, it is unlikely that he will be relegated to spending time in the minor leagues going forward. He is a cost-effective staple that will flourish in the Motor City, yet never be the first name thought of when you see the team in red. His stats have only minor upsides going forward, but can be a reliable defender for you (when healthy) that provides blocks, eats minutes, and if luck has it, assist on the odd short-handed goal. Overall just another example of development done correctly in Detroit.  Jason Banks

July 2016 – The 24 year old Russian defensemen did well to earn his spot on Detroit’s back end this year, pushing out other seasoned prospects like Xavier Ouellet and Brian Lashoff. Raking up 11 points in his first full season on the Red Wings third D pairing this year, Marchenko secured himself a new two-year deal worth $2.9 Million. On top of that, he was able to catch the eye of national team scouts back home and was honoured with a roster spot with Team Russia in the World Cup of Hockey this fall. This quiet defensemen should continue to grow on the Red Wings second or third pairing again this season and should be a mainstay on the Wings roster for years to come. The young Russian reportedly also underwent a minor surgery for a wrist injury that had been plaguing him for most of the season but is expected to be fully recovered and ready to play in this falls World Cup. Joseph Highgate

November 2015 – Alexey Marchenko is getting his shot to prove his worth to the Red Wings franchise. He's laced it up in the past 10 consecutive games settling in on the third pairing along with getting some time killing penalties. Marchenko is what he is and won't ever be on anyone's fantasy radar, but he's proving capable of holding his own and doing the little things right to get in the coaches good books. This is his time to shine and prove to the Wings that he deserves another contract as he's an impending restricted free agent. Through 11 games to date in Detroit the young Russian is pointless with a minus-5 rating to go along with four pointless games and a minus-2 rating in Grand Rapids. Travis Watson

April 2015 – Marchenko got his first taste of the NHL playoffs suiting up for three games in Detroit's opening round game seven defeat. This coming after he laced the skates up for 13 regular season games with the Wings and he notched his first career goal and assist. His solid all-around game blended in nicely on the red and white backend and he will get the chance to continue his season as the Wings have sent their young blueliner back to Grand Rapids as they look to stave off elimination in game four versus the Toronto Marlies. Travis Watson

February 2015 – Up with the Red Wings on an extended trial, Alexey Marchenko scored his first career NHL goal at a pivotal moment tying the game at three all against 2015 Western Conference power house, Nashville Predators. The Wings would go on to win the game in large part to Marchenko’s timely goal while skating four a side. That goal gives him two points in 12 games to date with more hopefully to come as the Wings look to continue their winning tradition. Travis Watson

February 2015 – Alexey Marchenko made a seamless transition from Russia to Grand Rapid’s and now again this time in the show with Detroit. Ever since he jumped across the pond to North America the Red Wings brass has had nothing but positive praise for the young Russian defenseman. Marchenko rarely puts the team or himself in a vulnerable position and possesses a strong work ethic mixed with above average speed to keep himself from getting beat. He’s a smart player who makes a great breakout pass to help get the team moving in a forward direction. Owning possession means the opposition isn’t getting an opportunity to score and since his arrival in North America he’s been one of the teams top players in the plus/minus category with a plus-11 in 2014 followed up by an improved plus-15 to date. This solid play has led the former 7^th round pick to leapfrog a couple of the Wings top prospects Ryan Sproul, Xavier Ouellet and Nick Jensen all of whom were taken much earlier in their respective drafts. 

Mike Babcock values hardwork and when you get the opportunity you better bust your tail and limit your mistakes if you want to stick. Marchenko is doing just that for Detroit and appears to be helping management think twice about needing to add an addition at the 2015 NHL Trade Deadline. He has the opportunity now to run away with a job and is doing his bets to keep it.Travis Watson

Fantasy Outlook: C+

Not a player you need to rush out and add but in a league that counts hits and blocked shots he could have a little value. A potential second pairing defenseman who plays the game well at both ends of the rink.

Footage:

Marchenko's first NHL goal.

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Excellent defensive awareness:

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