Kirill Marchenko suddenly became one of the hottest names on Montreal’s radar after uncertainty landed at the doorstep of his long-term future with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Canadiens appeared ready to make an aggressive move for another top-six scorer, believing the timing could finally open the door to a blockbuster. Instead, the pursuit revealed just how difficult it has become to pry away established NHL talent, even when a team is willing to pay a premium.
Behind-the-scenes details have now shed new light on why Montreal’s push never gained real momentum.
Marco D’Amico Reveals Why Canadiens’ Kirill Marchenko Pursuit Never Took Off
Marchenko emerged as a legitimate target after reports indicated he was unwilling to commit to a long-term extension in Columbus. Montreal quickly explored a trade, and reports suggested the Canadiens even assembled a substantial (“borderline insane”) package in hopes of landing the 25-year-old winger.
However, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell never showed interest in moving one of his top offensive players, making it clear that Marchenko would remain in Columbus heading into the 2026-27 season.
Speaking on The Starr & D’Amico Show, Canadiens insider Marco D’Amico revealed that Montreal’s offer was far more serious than many realized, saying, “The Canadiens were asking on Kirill Marchenko, they put a substantial package in place for him, and they were frustrated that it didn’t work out.”
Still, he explained the proposal was never going to be enough because Columbus had no intention of sacrificing its current roster.
D’Amico emphasized that the Blue Jackets’ mindset shaped the entire negotiation. “Don Waddell is not looking to take a step back. He’s trying to stop the bleeding, trying to make it work because they finally look like they’re on the verge of maybe making the playoffs next season with the youth kind of coming all together,” he said.
Even though he admitted he has doubts about how competitive Columbus will be in a stronger Metropolitan Division, he noted the organization’s priority is keeping its core together rather than stockpiling future assets.
D’Amico noted that the Canadiens possess one of the NHL’s strongest prospect pipelines, but contenders seeking established talent now want NHL-ready players instead of packages centered on picks and prospects.
He explained that Montreal is “right with young, up-and-coming talent,” but lacks “the established, young, expendable player” needed to complete a blockbuster without damaging its own lineup.
To illustrate his point, D’Amico mentioned Alex Newhook as the type of player who could eventually headline a major trade package once Montreal’s prospect wave fully develops. While he wasn’t advocating for a trade, he believes this pipeline could create greater flexibility.
He wrapped up by addressing fan frustration, saying, “It’s not to make excuses for them, but I feel like a lot of the fans that are frustrated right now don’t necessarily have a pulse on what the landscape looks like in the league.”
For now, Marchenko remains with Columbus on the final season of his three-year contract, carrying a $3.85 million cap hit before becoming a restricted free agent in 2027, while Montreal continues searching for another impact forward in a trade market that has become tougher than ever to navigate.
