Moscow-born and developed, Marchenko is yet another example of a late draft pick transforming himself into a bankable commodity.

It drew little attention when the Detroit Red Wings selected Marchenko in the seventh round (No. 205) in the 2011 NHL Draft, and a knee injury that forced Marchenko to miss much of his first year made assessment difficult.

The ensuing season, Marchenko made his first real impact at CSKA, dressing for 44 KHL games and making a strong impression for a 21-year-old youngster playing against men.

On hand to witness the Marchenko evolution and get a good read on his future teammate was Red Wings star Pavel Datsyuk, signed to play with CSKA during the NHL lockout. A solid skater, Marchenko had the physical tools to play the controlled, stay-at-home style envisioned for the NHL.

Skating in his first season for Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League in 2013-14, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound defenseman displayed a poise beyond his years, impressing so much that he was invited to the 2014 AHL All-Star Classic.

Jeff Blashill took over as Red Wings coach for the 2015-16 season and that marked a turning point for Marchenko. He played just four games with Grand Rapids and for 66 in Detroit.

Marchenko's impressive debut season merited selection to play for Russia at the 2016 World Championship. Playing in his home country, Marchenko helped Russia finish third.

An unrestricted free agent following the 2016 season, Marchenko signed a two-year contract on July 1, 2016.