3 Teams 'Poised' To Work Out Deal With Blue Jackets For Marchenko

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell is standing his ground with pending UFA sniper Kirill Marchenko. While the Russian forward has made it pretty clear that he has no interest in re-signing in Columbus long-term—he's a restricted free agent after the season—Waddell has reiterated that he will not be coerced into making a trade he doesn't want to make. He's standing firm and if somebody wants Marchenko, they'll have to come and get him, for the right price. 

Waddell on Kirill Marchenko said he won’t take futures in any potential deal. “I’m not making the calls. I’m taking the calls.”

Waddell wouldn’t rule out Marchenko staying this year and beyond if right deal doesn’t present itself. #CBJ

— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) September 24, 2026

“I’m not making the calls. I’m taking the calls," said Waddell, while insisting he's only looking for proven NHL talent in return, not picks and prospects. 

Meanwhile, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos has revealed that there are three teams—all of the Canadian persuasion—'poised' to pounce on Marchenko if they can work out a deal with the Jackets. 

Kirill Marchenko, who desperately wants out of Columbus, should have an easier time doing so since he doesn’t have any trade protection on his contract, so it comes down to the Blue Jackets finding a deal they like. Furthermore, he’s a pending RFA with arbitration rights so a team trading for him won’t just be getting a one-year rental. Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal seem poised to try and make something work with Columbus. 

The Canadiens have been linked to Marchenko all summer long, and they certainly do have some young talent they could offer. But one would figure if there was a deal to be done there, it would have happened by now. 

The Oilers are in the market for another high-scoring top-six option, and would love to get their hands on Marchenko. The fact that Edmonton has a weak prospect pool and limited draft picks shouldn't matter, based on Waddell's requirements in a return. His $3.85M cap hit shouldn't be a huge obstacle to overcome for this season (though it would take some maneuvering), but his massive ask as an RFA next summer would be difficult for the Oil.

The retooling Leafs would also love to bring in another exciting goal-scoring threat, but they almost certainly wouldn't have the NHL-ready trade assets to send back that Waddell is looking for (and let's not get the Matthew Knies thing started again!).