In Columbus, the Blue Jackets opted to skip the annual fanfare of their draft watch party this year, and it's easy to see why. While their selection of Oscar Hemming with the No. 14 pick is promising-Hemming is a towering forward at 6'4" and 202 pounds set to make his mark at Boston College-there's an air of uncertainty clouding the franchise's future.
The main concern? The potential departure of defenseman Zach Werenski, a cornerstone of the team and arguably the best player in Blue Jackets history.
Reports have surfaced, courtesy of Pierre LeBrun from The Athletic, that the team's GM, Don Waddell, is entertaining trade offers for Werenski. This is a significant shift from Waddell's previous stance of holding off on any decisions until post-draft discussions with Werenski.
With his current contract, which carries a $9.58 million salary cap hit, set to expire after the 2027-28 season, Werenski's future with the team is anything but certain.
Trading Werenski is a daunting prospect for Columbus, but his value is at an all-time high. As the reigning Norris Trophy winner with two years left on his contract, he's a hot commodity. Teams like Dallas, Carolina, and Philadelphia are already showing interest, eager to add his defensive prowess to their rosters.
As if that wasn’t enough, the situation took another hit when NHL Network's Kevin Weekes reported that Kirill Marchenko, the Blue Jackets' top scorer for the past three seasons, is unlikely to sign a contract extension. Marchenko, at just 25, is entering the final year of his contract with a $3.85 million cap hit and will become a restricted free agent in 2027. The Blue Jackets had hoped to secure him with a long-term deal this summer, but those plans are now in jeopardy.
Adding to the complexity, Waddell recently acquired winger Valeri Nichushkin from Colorado, hoping to bolster team chemistry by reuniting him with fellow Russians Marchenko and Ivan Provorov. However, when Marchenko's agent reached out to discuss his future, it wasn't the contract negotiation Waddell anticipated. Instead, it was a sign of Marchenko's potential departure.
Waddell, a seasoned GM with 22 years of experience, acknowledged the challenges of managing these situations, especially when they become public. The Blue Jackets have a history of losing key players, whether through trade requests or contract decisions, as seen with Rick Nash, Artemi Panarin, and others.
When asked about the possibility of retaining Werenski and Marchenko, Waddell didn't rule it out. He emphasized that the players signed their contracts, and if it's in the team's best interest to have them play out those contracts, that remains an option. However, the trade market is buzzing, especially after LeBrun's report, and Waddell is fielding calls, although he maintains he doesn't have to act on them.
As the NHL Draft continues with Rounds 2 through 7, the Blue Jackets are looking to fill gaps, particularly on defense, following the departure of Erik Gudbranson. Yet, with the uncertainty surrounding Werenski and Marchenko, Waddell faces the daunting task of rebuilding a roster while the foundation seems to be shifting beneath him.
In Other News...
Rangers Fans Wont Like Which Current Piece Just Entered Trade Buzz
The trade chatter around Columbus has widened beyond the usual summer speculation, with a recent target list putting several Blue Jackets names in the conversation as NHL clubs continue to weigh upgrades and roster holes. Zach Werenski, Kirill Marchenko, Elvis Merzlikins and Kent Johnson all surfaced on that list with contract context attached, a reminder that Columbus is once again a team other front offices are watching closely as the offseason market takes shape.
For Blue Jackets fans, the part to keep an eye on is not just who is drawing interest, but how many teams are circling players who matter to Columbuss core and future. Separately, ESPN analyst Kevin Weekes reported that Washington is looking for help up front and on defense and has interest in pending UFA Boone Jenner, which only adds another layer to the sense that this could be a busy stretch for a roster that is already showing up in plenty of leaguewide discussions. [Read more 🡒]
Jim Nill Has A Huge Stars Roster Call Still Hanging
Don Waddell is already hearing from teams about Kirill Marchenko, which is no surprise given the wingers place in Columbus lineup and the way he has emerged as one of the organizations more important pieces. The Blue Jackets GM made it clear the calls are coming, and just as clear that interest alone is not enough for Columbus to move a player it values so highly.
Still, the conversation around Marchenko has become harder to ignore with his future now part of the backdrop, and that keeps the Blue Jackets in a delicate spot as the offseason chatter builds. Elsewhere in the league, Dallas GM Jim Nill is juggling his own long list of roster questions, from veterans to younger core pieces, and it is the kind of market-wide uncertainty that can force a team to decide whether patience is the safer play or whether the right move might be waiting just out of reach. [Read more 🡒]
Blue Jackets Have A Real Stake In Free Agency's Biggest Winger Drama
Free agencys winger market has a little bit of everything for Columbus to watch, from household names to the kind of middle-six scorers who can swing a roster if the fit is right. The ranking of the top pending UFAs includes familiar options like Alex Ovechkin, Anthony Mantha, Mason Marchment, Viktor Arvidsson and Anders Lee, and for the Blue Jackets it is more than idle list-making. They have reason to pay close attention to the players who might stay put, the ones who could move, and the ones who suddenly become available if another domino falls first.
Marchment is the most obvious name to watch from a Columbus perspective after he was dealt there and gave the Jackets a strong finish, putting up 15 goals and 32 points in 39 games. The question now is whether that stretch was enough to make him part of their long-term plans, especially with other teams, including Toronto and Montreal, potentially circling. If he reaches the open market, Columbus has to decide quickly whether to treat him as a priority or let the bidding do the talking. [Read more 🡒]