The Montreal Canadiens have been one of the busiest teams in the rumor mill this offseason, and few names have generated as much excitement as Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko.
After reports surfaced during the NHL Draft that Montreal had explored a blockbuster offer for the 25-year-old winger, many fans began imagining what a top line featuring Ivan Demidov and Marchenko could look like. But despite the excitement, one Canadiens insider believes reality is far less optimistic.
Canadiens’ Marchenko Trade Hopes Face a Reality Check
It appears the Canadiens’ blockbuster offers for Kirill Marchenko were met with a firm “no” from Columbus. Canadiens insider Marco D’Amico said that’s because teams are no longer interested in futures alone; they want NHL-ready players in return for elite talent.
He explained that the trade market has changed dramatically, with first-round picks and future prospects no longer carrying enough value to land an established top-six forward.
“So, any major addition, the Kapanens, the Engstroms, the first-round picks, that’s not what’s going to move the needle. You’re gonna need the Alexander Zharovsky(s), the Michael Hage(s), the Kaiden Guhle(s), you know, the (Jakub) Dobes or (Jacob) Fowler, the kind of players that make you wince when you see the trade return. That’s what’s going to move the needle because everybody wants players,” D’Amico said.
He pointed out that Marchenko fits the type of restricted free agent the Canadiens have recently targeted: players approaching long-term contract negotiations who may be looking for a fresh start.
Rather than pursuing younger RFAs like Alex Newhook or Kirby Dach, Montreal has shifted its focus toward more established players who are closer to unrestricted free agency.
“Marchenko with Ivan Demidov would be a 40-goal scorer in my opinion. He’d be a star. He is a star. And so, you’re going to have to give a king’s ransom for a guy like that because tons of teams are going to be interested. Utah Mammoth are a team to watch in that regard,” D’Amico reported.
Meanwhile, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell has shown no urgency to move his star winger. He has publicly stated that he plans to meet with Marchenko’s representatives before making any major decisions.
Since Marchenko will remain under team control as a restricted free agent next summer, Columbus isn’t facing an immediate deadline to complete a trade. That leverage allows Waddell to stay patient and wait for an offer that truly reshapes the organization’s future.
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For Montreal, the message is clear. They may have the assets to enter the conversation, but unless they’re willing to part with premium, young NHL-ready talent, their pursuit of Kirill Marchenko is unlikely to gain much traction.
With Brendan Gallagher traded to the Vancouver Canucks (with 50% of his salary reportedly retained), Montreal will look to get moving in the coming days in their pursuit of offensive firepower.
