Kirill Marchenko is now Jim Hiller's winger in Toronto, but a new report says Montreal was his preferred destination before the trade.
Marchenko reportedly wanted to join the Canadiens, with the opportunity to play alongside fellow Russian Ivan Demidov driving his interest in Montreal. The two players also share the same agent.
That possibility wasn't just wishful thinking. Montreal general manager Kent Hughes was reportedly engaged in trade discussions with Columbus general manager Don Waddell as the Blue Jackets explored the market.
The issue was Columbus' asking price. The Blue Jackets wanted a young player capable of stepping directly into their lineup, putting Montreal in a difficult position with its young core.
Juraj Slafkovsky was among the type of pieces Montreal wasn't prepared to sacrifice. That decision effectively limited how far Hughes could push negotiations for Marchenko.
Toronto had a different card available. The Maple Leafs were willing to include Matthew Knies, giving Columbus the young NHL-ready piece it wanted and shifting the trade talks in Toronto's direction.
Montreal would not match Toronto's trade price
The twist is that Marchenko's own preference apparently pointed toward Montreal. Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger both reported that the Canadiens were a destination the winger wanted before Toronto landed him.
For Martin St-Louis and the Canadiens, the missed opportunity creates an intriguing what-if. Marchenko and Demidov could have given Montreal a high-end Russian combination with skill in the top six.
There was also a contract wrinkle. Montreal reportedly believed it could sign Marchenko for less than the $12.5 million average annual value he eventually received from Toronto.
But the acquisition cost mattered more. Hughes held onto Montreal's young pieces rather than matching the type of return Columbus could get from the Maple Leafs.
Toronto general manager John Chayka stayed aggressive once Marchenko became available, and Knies gave the Maple Leafs the trade asset needed to close the gap with Montreal.
Now Marchenko enters the Toronto-Montreal rivalry with an unusual backdrop. The Canadiens wanted him, the player reportedly wanted Montreal, and the Maple Leafs still found the package that got the deal across the line.
That puts another storyline around every Toronto-Montreal meeting. Marchenko won't be wearing Canadiens colours alongside Demidov. Instead, he'll be trying to beat them from the other side of the rivalry.
Should the Canadiens have paid Toronto's price to land Kirill Marchenko?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Mike Babcock's controversial comments after the Oilers' loss to Vancouver aren't sitting well
