Report: 2 Teams Linked To Trading For Blue Jackets' Kirill Marchenko

The Columbus Blue Jackets have had forward Kirill Marchenko on the trade market all offseason, and according to multiple reports, talks have advanced with a couple of teams.

Marchenko, 26, has one season left on his current deal just over $3 million AAV, and the pending restricted free agent doesn't have any trade protection, and can be moved at will. Last season in 76 games, the Blue Jackets winger scored 27 goals, and added 40 assists for 67 points. He averaged 18:56 of ice time per game, and was given a ton of time on Columbus' top power-play unit.

Elliotte Friedman: Re Kirill Marchenko future: The Canadiens have been around that, the Islanders have been around that, I'm sure there's others - 32 Thoughts (9/10)

The Blue Jackets would need a haul for Marchenko, as they are desperate for offense, and moving off one of their top-3 players doesn't make a ton of sense, unless the package includes a top prospect, high draft pick, and someone they can plug-and-play into their lineup.

The Canadiens have been linked all summer long and have been looking for a top-six winger they can insert into their lineup, replacing what they thought Patrik Laine was going to be for them. Marchenko would be a huge get for the up-and-coming Habs, and they certainly have the prospect pool to entice the Blue Jackets to bite.

The Islanders have an older roster, who have problems putting the puck in the back of the net. They have just over $4 million in cap space, but wouldn't be able to come close to the type of package Montreal could offer.

For now, Marchenko remains a Blue Jacket, and at the end of the day, it's very unlikely a trade transpires before this season starts in a couple of weeks.