Kirill Marchenko’s future in Columbus has already pushed the Blue Jackets into trade-scenario territory, and Montréal has quickly surfaced as the team to watch.
GM Don Waddell said he was caught off guard by the "news" that ESPN's Kevin Weekes dropped on the world at the NHL Draft. Still, the chatter is real: reports say the Canadiens are strongly pursuing Marchenko and have already made an offer.
According to reports, the Canadiens put a "huge" offer in on Marchenko.
If Columbus is even willing to listen, the framework being floated is a hefty one. The package centers on David Reinbacher, Michael Hage, and a 2027 first-round pick.
Reinbacher comes with a three-year contract worth $2,704,998 and a cap hit of $901,666 per season, with the deal running through 2028. The former #5 overall pick in 2023 has appeared in 78 games for the Laval Rocket of the AHL and has 34 points.
Scouting reports describe Reinbacher as a likely top-four, two-way defenseman, the kind of player who can erase rush chances, make intelligent reads, and bring stability in the defensive zone.
Hage is another major piece. Montréal took him 21st overall in 2024, and he is heading into his third year at the University of Michigan after recording 86 points over his first two seasons. Before that, he spent two years with the Chicago Steel of the USHL and finished with 86 points in 67 games.
Scouts see Hage as one of the highest-upside players in the Canadiens’ system, projecting him as a high-offense top-six center or winger who can help in transition and on the power play.
The final part of the proposal is a 2027 first-round pick, which would likely land in the 20-25 range if Montréal keeps trending upward.
For Columbus, the question is whether that kind of return is enough to move on from Marchenko. For Montréal, it’s whether a “huge” offer really means going all the way.
Free agency opens July 1, and the Blue Jackets’ next move will be watched closely. Will the CBJ be players?
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