There is a lot of uncertainty around Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko, who has become a hot topic in the NHL rumor mill, with conflicting reports leaving fans and analysts searching for clarity.
His team continues to publicly project confidence about the roster, but speculation linking Marchenko to the Montreal Canadiens refuses to disappear.
Mixed messages from insiders, team officials, and player representatives have only intensified the conversation as the offseason moves forward.
Kirill Marchenko Rumors Divide NHL Fans as Canadiens Interest Grows
Marchenko found himself back in the spotlight after The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline reported that the Blue Jackets are not actively shopping the talented winger, directly contradicting recent reports from Russia that suggested a blockbuster trade was on the horizon.
According to Portzline, Columbus has not received meaningful trade inquiries about Marchenko since the early part of the summer, and general manager Don Waddell is expecting the 25-year-old to report for training camp.
Although Portzline acknowledged that circumstances can always change before the season begins, his report challenged the growing belief that a deal was imminent.
The conflicting reports immediately led to reactions from the NHL’s X community.
Analyst Jordan Decker questioned the opposing narratives by writing, “Well then someone’s lying lol.” Willie Lutz predicted disappointment for Montreal supporters, posting, “Habs fans are gonna be in shambles when Marchenko is in camp with Columbus.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Heaters added another context to the discussion by claiming, “For what it’s worth fellas, Buffalo Sabres were one of the teams that called at the beginning of the summer.”
These responses show just how divided opinions have become as different reports continue pointing in opposite directions.
Marchenko’s agent, Dan Milstein, has also reinforced the Blue Jackets’ position by dismissing online speculation and publicly mocking the credibility of recent trade rumors. His comments aligned with Waddell’s repeated stance that Marchenko remains part of Columbus’s plans despite persistent reports connecting the winger to the Canadiens.
The rumors continue because Marchenko remains an extremely attractive player around the league. After having another productive season with 27 goals and 67 points while carrying a team-friendly $3.85 million cap hit, he represents exactly the type of top-6 scorer many contenders are searching for.
Montreal, in particular, has been linked to Marchenko because general manager Kent Hughes is actively exploring ways to strengthen the Canadiens’ offense with another impact winger.
For now, however, the Blue Jackets’ actions suggest otherwise.
The organization completed a three-year extension with Cole Sillinger, avoided arbitration with goaltender Jet Greaves through another multi-year agreement, and still holds more than $14 million in projected cap space.
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With additional financial flexibility expected to be directed toward a future extension for Adam Fantilli, Columbus appears focused on strengthening its current core rather than breaking it apart, even as the Marchenko rumors continue to dominate headlines.
