Building a contender often means taking big swings, and the Montreal Canadiens appeared ready to do exactly that. In late June, Kirill Marchenko became one of the most talked-about names connected to the team, raising questions about whether Columbus would consider moving one of its top offensive players.
As the conversation gained momentum, the Blue Jackets decided there was no reason to let the speculation grow any further. Their general manager stepped in with a clear answer that left little room for interpretation.
Don Waddell Ends Speculation Around Kirill Marchenko With Montreal Canadiens Lurking
Marchenko isn’t going anywhere before the season begins.
Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell addressed the growing speculation during his July 2 media availability with team reporter Jeff Svoboda and made the organization’s stance crystal clear.
Waddell said, “I’ve had discussions with his agent, which we won’t discuss right now, but Marchenko is going to be a Blue Jacket when the season starts.”
His comments came after multiple reports linked the Canadiens to the 25-year-old winger, with insiders indicating Montreal made an aggressive attempt to acquire him during draft week.
The interest wasn’t difficult to understand.
Marchenko has developed into Columbus’ premier offensive threat, following a 74-point breakout in 2024-25 with another productive season that saw him record 27 goals and 67 points in 76 games.
His consistent production, size, and ability to play in a scoring role made him an attractive target for a Canadiens team looking to strengthen its young core.
Reports suggested Montreal was willing to pay a premium price to complete a deal. The rumored package was believed to include valuable draft picks, NHL-ready talent, and high-end prospects as Kent Hughes searched for another impact forward to complement Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Ivan Demidov.
Even so, Columbus had little incentive to entertain those discussions. Marchenko remains under contract for one more season at a cap hit of $3.85 million before becoming an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent.
Although reports indicated his representatives may not be eager to sign a long-term extension immediately, the Blue Jackets still control his rights and can continue negotiating without the pressure of losing him this summer.
Columbus has every reason to keep him (especially with Zach Werenski staying), as moving its leading scorer would weaken a roster aiming to make a deeper playoff push. Waddell’s remarks reinforced that keeping proven offensive talent remains a higher priority than collecting future assets, regardless of how appealing another team’s offer might be.
Montreal now appears likely to redirect its attention elsewhere. With more than $14 million in projected cap space, the Canadiens have the flexibility to pursue another top-six forward or address their need for a second-line center.
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For now, however, one thing has been settled. Despite the outside interest and reported blockbuster proposals, Columbus has made it clear that Marchenko remains a key piece of its plans for the coming season.
