Insiders: Marchenko Trade ‘Tricky Business’ For Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets' tough offseason is dragging on into training camp. The Zach Werenski situation from earlier in the summer is under control for now, but the Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko problems persist. 

With the latter, Marchenko still has one year to run on his contract, at a bargain $3.85 million this coming season. But all signs point to him not re-signing in Columbus, and his gathering with the media at camp a couple of days ago did absolutely nothing to calm those fears. 

So despite some strong talk to the contrary, GM Don Waddell will have to consider trading Marchenko at some point so he doesn't lose him for nothing. And while the Montreal Canadiens have been strongly linked to the Russian forward, insider Darren Dreger said on First Up this morning that it's going to be awfully 'tricky' to get a deal done, mostly because of the price of an extension for Marchenko. 

The problem with it is, whether it's Montreal or Toronto or any team that would express interest in him, what's that contract look like, fellas? It's bad enough that you've got to give up the assets for Marchenko, and they would be significant. Like, they would tear away probably at the core of your team. One of your better younger players, right?... Then, on top of that, you've got to come up with, what, $12M a year? Something along those lines to get that contract signed. So, tricky business for Waddell & Columbus these days.

Additionally, Elliotte Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts Podcast today that it really all depends on what happens with Fantilli, first. The RFA needs a new contract, and it'll be a costly one. 

"One of the challenges with Marchenko is he's only making $3.85 million, even though he's not a $3.85 million player. He's worth much more than that... If you're trading a guy out at $3.85 and you're adding probably one or more pieces that make more than that, you've got to know what Fantilli's number is so you don't walk yourself into another salary cap problem."

For now, Waddell has held firm to this point, and the thought is, per Friedman, that they want to start the season first before deciding what to do with Marchenko.

Fun times for Don Waddell and the Blue Jackets.