The Columbus Blue Jackets' first night of the 2026 NHL Draft was supposed to be all about Oscar Hemming, their promising new forward from Boston College. But as fate would have it, the night took on a much broader narrative, involving not just Hemming but also Kirill Marchenko, Zach Werenski, and the offseason complexities that GM Don Waddell is navigating.
The Jackets snagged Hemming with the 14th overall pick, a decision they were thrilled about. Yet, just moments before this selection, ESPN’s Kevin Weekes sent shockwaves through the fanbase with news that Marchenko might not extend his contract with Columbus when it expires. This revelation followed reports that Werenski, with two years left on his contract, might also be hesitant to commit to the Blue Jackets unless the team shows significant progress.
Post-draft, Waddell faced the press to address these swirling stories, covering everything from the Hemming pick to the Marchenko and Werenski situations, and even Columbus’ recent trade for Valeri Nichushkin.
On the Marchenko Report: Waddell expressed surprise at the news, stating, "That was news to me today." He acknowledged that he had a conversation planned with Marchenko’s agent after the weekend to discuss the player's future, but the specific details reported by Weekes were unexpected.
On Marchenko’s Future: Waddell noted he had no prior indication that Marchenko might not want to extend, especially given Marchenko’s friendships with recent acquisition Val Nichushkin and Ivan Provorov. He initially thought a call from the agent was related to these friendships, not contract issues.
On Werenski and Marchenko’s Situations: Waddell dismissed any connection between the two situations, suggesting they were unrelated despite the speculation.
On Trade Offers for Werenski: The GM confirmed receiving calls after the media reports but clarified that listening to offers is part of his role, though he hadn’t made any counter-offers.
Reflecting on a Strange Draft Night: Waddell, a veteran GM, admitted this draft night was unusual due to the public nature of the player movement discussions, a departure from the typical private negotiations.
On Drafting Oscar Hemming: Waddell was enthusiastic about Hemming, noting they had him ranked higher than most and were thrilled he was available at No.
- Hemming, a big-bodied forward not yet 18, is expected to play a full season at Boston College, a move Waddell sees as a testament to his maturity and potential.
On Potential Trades and Team Strategy: While Waddell acknowledged the desire for significant trades, he pointed out that the team is currently full up front. However, he remains open to moves that could enhance the team, particularly in defense.
On Valeri Nichushkin’s Off-Ice Comfort: Waddell emphasized the thorough vetting process they undertook before acquiring Nichushkin, highlighting his stable personal life and strong connections with current Blue Jackets players.
Despite the draft night drama, the Blue Jackets landed a player they didn’t expect to be available, but Hemming’s arrival was somewhat overshadowed by the ongoing narrative of player uncertainties-a familiar theme for the franchise.
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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 🡒]
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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 🡒]