Kirill Marchenko trade report emerges as Columbus Blue Jackets offseason twists again
· Yahoo Sports
Just when it seemed like a tumultuous offseason for the Blue Jackets was nearing a conclusion, a report has surfaced about a potential trade involving Kirill Marchenko.
Visit somethingsdifferent.biz for more information.
Citing “a source close to Kirill Marchenko,” the U.S. based sports site RG.org reported that a trade is nearing for the Blue Jackets’ top goal scorer, who is in Russia training for the upcoming season.
The July 25 report states: “RG.org has learned that the Blue Jackets and another team are finalizing the terms of a trade, and Marchenko's camp knows the talks are ongoing.”
It doesn’t cite a specific team other than saying the Montreal Canadiens remain interested in acquiring Marchenko and “could factor into the current talks,” after engaging in trade talks with the Blue Jackets during the NHL draft in June.
Asked about the report via text messages, neither Blue Jackets president/general manager Don Waddell nor Marchenko’s agent, Dan Milstein, replied to The Dispatch. Milstein, however, has playfully interacted with fans about it on Twitter/X.
Can’t confirm or deny, but last I checked there were some pretty steep tariffs on exporting elite talent to or from Canada right now… #WeAreGoldStarhttps://t.co/e91gFD21pa
— Dan Milstein (@HockeyAgent1) July 25, 2026
Quoting a fan who asked whether Milstein would be informed of a trade “to the Habs [Canadiens]” through a call or text message from Waddell, Milstein replied: “Can’t confirm or deny, but last I checked there were some pretty steep tariffs on exporting talent to or from Canada right now …”
Milstein also replied to three other posts by fans, including a comment stating that, “replying to fans is still allowed under the CBA.”
None of Milstein’s Twitter/X posts dispel the report about a Marchenko trade forming.
The report was written by Daria Tuboltseva, who is based in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and has extensive experience covering Russian hockey stars and athletes while they train during the offseason. She has previously garnered exclusive interviews in Russia with former Blue Jackets stars Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin along with Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin.
Tuboltseva’s report on Marchenko shouldn’t be a surprise to those who have followed the Blue Jackets’ bumpy offseason. Prior to the draft, reports surfaced that neither star defenseman Zach Werenski nor Marchenko planned to re-sign with the Blue Jackets once they reach unrestricted free agency in 2028.
That prompted trade speculation and gave Waddell’s phone a workout as GMs across the NHL reached out to inquire about each player. Marchenko was linked to the Canadiens while Werenski used his no-movement rights July 1 to nix a trade with the Dallas Stars.
Werenski and Waddell released statements on July 1 stating that Werenski wants to stay with the Blue Jackets, but neither put a timeline on that desire. Waddell also held a press conference July 2, and said both Werenski and Marchenko would be with the Blue Jackets at training camp.
After putting those flames out, Waddell shifted to the task of re-signing three young restricted free agents due to receive pay bumps. After getting three-year extensions signed by goalie Jet Greaves on July 23 and forward Cole Sillinger on July 24, the last one remaining is top center Adam Fantilli, whose salary could potentially approach $15 million a season.
If so, that wouldn’t leave a lot of wiggle room for Werenski and/or Marchenko if either agreed to stay long-term.
Dispatch Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Kirill Marchenko trade report emerges as Columbus Blue Jackets offseason twists again