The rumor mill was abuzz a week ago after a report from Russia claimed the Columbus Blue Jackets were close to trading Kirill Marchenko, prompting speculation that the 26-year-old winger could be headed to the Montreal Canadiens.
Since then, the conjecture has faded. Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell refuted the story, claiming he hadn’t spoken with other teams about Marchenko in weeks. Other reports out of Columbus claimed nothing had changed regarding the winger’s status.
Marchenko initially became the focus of media trade chatter following a June 26 report by ESPN’s Kevin Weekes claiming that the winger was unlikely to sign an extension with the Blue Jackets. He’s slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer.
Nevertheless, some Montreal pundits mused about what it would cost the Canadiens to acquire Marchenko.
Herb Zurkowsky of The Montreal Gazette speculated it could cost a top prospect such as Michael Hage or Alexander Zharovsky, a first-round pick, and another player.
His colleague, Stu Cowan, believes it would be the same offer that the Canadiens were rumored to have made to the Toronto Maple Leafs for winger Matthew Knies. That package included Zharovsky, another prospect, and a first-rounder.
One rumor making the rounds claimed the Canadiens could consider Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson as their “Plan B” if efforts to acquire Marchenko fell through.
However, Marco D’Amico of The Starr & D’Amico Show disagreed, saying he doesn’t see the Canadiens trying another reclamation project. He doesn’t think Johnson would fill their legitimate need for another top-six forward.
Rumors involving another mid-20’s player approaching restricted free agency have continued to circulate.
Trade rumors dogged Braden Schneider for most of last season. The 24-year-old New York Rangers defenseman endured a difficult 2025-26 campaign as he struggled to secure a top-four role despite an increase in his ice time.
Schneider was the subject of media conjecture before the March trade deadline. Following the regular season, it was rumored he could be used as trade bait to add a scoring forward, but he recently signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Rangers. He’ll be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights again next summer.
Mercogliano didn’t rule out the possibility of Schneider being swapped for a reclamation project such as Shane Wright. However, he doubted the Seattle Kraken would be interested in a defenseman when they require a scoring punch.
Mercogliano also believes Rangers GM Chris Drury is content to stick with Schneider until the right offer comes along.