Marco D’Amico’s latest note on the Canadiens’ pursuit of Kirill Marchenko should calm a lot of nerves in Montreal.
The respected insider said Michael Hage would not be part of any potential deal that sends Marchenko to the Canadiens. D’Amico, whose sourcing is well regarded, addressed the rumor that has been buzzing around the team since RG’s report last Friday and made his position clear: “I wouldn't get too excited over the prospect of landing Hage if Marchenko is, in fact, dealt to Montreal,” he wrote.
That strongly suggests Kent Hughes has already taken Hage off the table in talks with the Blue Jackets, even if Montreal pushes hard for a player like Marchenko.
For Canadiens fans, that matters. Hage is viewed as a major piece of the organization’s future, and keeping him out of trade discussions signals how carefully Hughes is trying to handle the rebuild.
It also says plenty about the general manager’s approach. Hughes seems intent on adding talent without gutting the core of what Montreal is building, especially the player many see as the club’s future second-line center.
And the Canadiens still have options if they want to make a serious offer.
Draft picks could be included. So could other prospects, including David Reinbacher. Established players such as Kirby Dach could also be part of a package that gets Columbus’ attention.
Which leaves the real question hanging over the whole situation: if Hage is untouchable, what exactly would Montreal be willing to put on the table to land Kirill Marchenko?
In Other News...
Canadiens Fans Face Another Frustrating Change To Watching Their Team
Canadiens fans are staring at another shift in how they will watch their team, with the NHL and Gary Bettman confirming a 12-year broadcast agreement with Rogers Communications that deepens the leagues long-term move toward streaming in Canada. The new setup will bring English and French coverage into the mix, a reminder that the viewing experience for Quebec audiences is once again changing along with the leagues media landscape.
The biggest immediate wrinkle for Montreal supporters is the timing: Wednesday night NHL games in Canada are set to move to Prime Video beginning in the 2026-27 season. For the Canadiens, that means seven games will be part of the package, adding another layer of adjustment for fans who have already seen the way they follow the team evolve in recent years. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Just Showed Exactly What They Value In This Rebuild
Mike Mathesons new five-year extension says plenty about what the Canadiens are trying to build, and what they expect from the veterans helping steer the rebuild. Montreal has leaned on Matheson as more than a puck-moving defenseman, using him in a variety of jobs as the roster around him has changed, and the organization clearly values that kind of adaptability as much as any highlight-reel offense.
He has gone from top power-play quarterback to a second-unit role and then into penalty-kill duty, all while remaining a steady presence for a team still sorting out its long-term blue line. Kent Hughes has made it clear he sees Matheson as the kind of player who puts team success ahead of individual numbers, and the extension gives Montreal a reliable piece whose value could shift again if the lineup changes around Lane Hutson or Noah Dobson. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Fans Wont All Agree On This Kirby Dach Trade Twist
Kirby Dachs name is back in the rumor mill, and for Canadiens fans that alone is enough to split opinion. Reports have linked Montreal to trade discussions involving the young center, with the idea that his inclusion could help the club reshape its forward group as it looks for a different kind of fit in the lineup.
The twist is less about whether Montreal is listening and more about what Dach represents in those talks. His injuries, uneven play and uncertain availability have all fed into a murky valuation, and any move would almost certainly need more than just one player going the other way. The Canadiens would likely have to add more to the package, and for now the whole thing remains speculative, which is why the debate around Dach feels so much bigger than a simple trade rumor. [Read more 🡒]