Kirill Marchenko’s name is already hanging over Columbus, and the chatter doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere soon.
The Blue Jackets winger didn’t exactly sound like someone eager to plant roots long-term when he recently spoke with the media, and that has only fueled the speculation around his future. There has been no official trade request from Marchenko, at least not publicly, but Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos believes the 26-year-old wants out and says three Canadian clubs are lining up: the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens.
“Kirill Marchenko, who desperately wants out of Columbus, should have an easier time doing so since he doesn’t have any trade protection on his contract, so it comes down to the Blue Jackets finding a deal they like. Furthermore, he’s a pending RFA with arbitration rights so a team trading for him won’t just be getting a one-year rental. Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal seem poised to try and make something work with Columbus,”
That contract situation matters. Marchenko is a pending restricted free agent and is heading into the third and final season of the three-year, $11.55 million extension he signed with Columbus in 2024. He also has arbitration rights, which makes him more than just a short-term pickup for any team willing to pay the price.
Last season, Marchenko put up 67 points in 76 games, scoring 27 goals and adding 40 assists.
Montreal has been tied to him for a while, so its presence in this conversation isn’t much of a surprise. Toronto and Edmonton are newer additions to the rumor mill, but both teams have kept room to chase a move like this if the right opportunity comes along, with GMs John Chayka and Stan Bowman staying flexible.
There’s no deadline forcing Don Waddell’s hand, but if Columbus stumbles out of the gate, the noise around Marchenko is only going to get louder. Zach Werenski would likely get pulled into that same conversation too.
And as the 2026-27 season gets underway, the spotlight around the Blue Jackets could be intense.
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Canadiens Fans Should Watch This Suzuki-Caufield Camp Experiment Closely
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Suzuki noted the contrast in styles between the two wingers, with Kreider bringing more puck control and a stronger net-front presence while Slafkovsky has tended to operate a little higher and look to make plays. For a team trying to deepen its forward group without losing what makes its best line dangerous, how that fit develops in camp is worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]