Kirill Marchenko's name won't go away in Montreal, and even the people covering the story closely aren't ready to close the book.
Eric Engels said it plainly on the Sick Podcast this week. "I don't think it's over between them and Kirill Marchenko."
Tony backed him up on the spot. "Neither do I."
That's two plugged-in voices refusing to shut the door, even without confirming anything concrete.
Marchenko is entering the final season of a three-year, $11,550,000 contract, carrying a modest $3,850,000 cap hit for a player who scored 27 goals and added 40 assists for 67 points in 76 games.
Columbus finished 40-30-12 this season, 18th overall, and closed out on a two-game skid under head coach Rick Bowness.
GM Don Waddell addressed the situation directly on The Eye Test Podcast, and he didn't rule anything out.
Waddell's blunt take on trading his best goal scorer
"I've said it, every player on my team is available in a trade," Waddell said. "In Kirill's case, he's our best scorer."
He kept going. "He's put up plenty of goals and points, and his cap hit impact is low at $3,850,000. We can't just pull him from our lineup and not replace him."
Waddell made clear he isn't shopping Marchenko either. "No matter what Kirill and his agent want, he's a crucial piece of this club. I won't replace his talent and his goals at $3,850,000, that's clear."
Marchenko becomes eligible for free agency with compensation in 2027, and that timeline is exactly what keeps fueling the speculation.
ESPN has already linked him to Montreal directly, adding fuel to a story that started with a golf tournament absence over the summer.
Columbus also has its own contract mess to sort out. Adam Fantilli remains unsigned, and the gap between the Blue Jackets and their young center reportedly stays significant.
Waddell says he's listening, not shopping. Whether Montreal or anyone else can make an offer good enough to change that math is still an open question heading into camp.
Do you think Kirill Marchenko gets traded to the Canadiens before the season starts?
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