The Blue Jackets might be asking Kirill Marchenko suitors to take on more than just a winger, according to Elliotte Friedman.
Friedman said on 32 Thoughts that he has "wondered if one of the things that Columbus is doing here" is attaching other players to the deal.
"All right, if you want Marchenko, would you take Miles Wood or Voronkov or something like that?"
The Blue Jackets put Wood on waivers Saturday. He carries a $2,500,000 cap hit and sits on 99 career NHL goals.
Dmitry Voronkov picked up two assists in 15:17 during a 4-0 preseason win over Pittsburgh on September 24, finishing plus-2.
Marchenko put up 67 points in 76 games last season, and Nick Kypreos reported he desperately wants out of Columbus.
So are the Blue Jackets selling a star or cleaning out the closet?
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Wild Kirill Marchenko trade scenario could involve three players
Maybe both, and it's a smart move by Waddell if that's the play. When seven teams want your best trade chip, you make them take something you'd rather move along with it.
It's like selling front-row concert tickets and making the buyer take your cousin's parking pass too. They want the show badly enough to say yes.
Friedman has named the Leafs, Canadiens, Islanders, Jets, Bruins, Golden Knights and Kraken as interested to some degree.
Frank Seravalli also wrote that Montreal once viewed Kirby Dach as a chip to chase the winger.
Marchenko's $3,850,000 cap hit runs through this season, with restricted free agency waiting after that.
Wood isn't just filler, either. He has 196 points over 567 NHL games, including a 19-goal season with the Devils in 2017-18.
Friedman also pointed to fit, with Marchenko reportedly no longer a cultural match under Rick Bowness.
The Blue Jackets finished the preseason 3-1-0 and open October 1 at home against Buffalo, which gives Waddell three days to decide how patient he wants to be.
Any team that wants him now knows the ask might include a second name. The question is how much extra a contender will carry to get him.
Would you take on Miles Wood's contract to land Kirill Marchenko?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Friedman confirms a three-way Hellebuyck trade is in the picture with another star involved
