A few roster decisions still loom for the Columbus Blue Jackets as the new season begins this month.
One decision for General Manager Don Waddell is whether or not he wants to retain forward Kirill Marchenko.
Waddell spoke with Brian Hedger of the Columbus Post Dispatch and shared more about Marchenko.
“He’s a player under contract,” Waddell told Brian Hedger of the Columbus Post Dispatch this past Sunday.
“We control the situation, like with every player under contract. Teams have called me, but if we’re going to make a deal, it’s going to be a deal that helps the Columbus Blue Jackets.”
This summer has seen Columbus’ top defenseman Zach Werenski and Marchenko in headlines for reportedly wanting out.
Well, Werenski said last month he would like to remain in Columbus. However, it’s not clear what will happen with Marchenko yet.
“I’m going to put my best foot forward and be the best player I can be for this team, this organization, and my teammates. And at the end of the day, as long as my teammates know how I feel about it, which I think they do, that’s all I really care about,” Werenski said.
Market for Marchenko at this time
Before training camp ramps up in the NHL, Marchenko is said to be available, but for the right deal. That’s why Waddell is saying that a deal for his Russian forward has to benefit him in the long run.
According to Murphy’s Hockey Law, it was said that under two weeks ago, Waddell had made it clear to an interested party that he would not be trading the 26-year-old Russian winger.
However, a different source close to Murphy’s Hockey Law mentioned that should Waddell want to consider moving Marchenko, the Montreal Canadiens would be at the front of the line for suitors.
Marchenko’s agent, Dan Milstein, has been active in regards to engaging online about the forward’s future. Additionally, on X, Milstein replied to a question about how Waddell would handle communicating a trade with him.
“Can’t confirm or deny, but last I checked there were some pretty steep tariffs on exporting elite talent to or from Canada right now,” Milstein wrote.
Fantilli’s new contract to influence roster movement
While there has yet to be any progress on a trade for Marchenko, Columbus has not re-signed restricted free agent Adam Fantilli.
Before Columbus locks in its top centerman, they have $12.6 million in cap space, according to Puck Pedia.
Should Fantilli secure a large payout, then Waddell may want to leave additional cap space available for future transactions. That may involve pending restricted free agent Marchenko. Still, Columbus may get a return they can’t turn down via trade.
AFP Analytics is projecting Marchenko’s next contract to be for 5 years, $8.9 million per season. On a long-term contract, Fantilli is projected to get 8 years, $10 million per season.
Columbus will also need to leave room for other pending RFAs like Kent Johnson, Dmitri Voronkov, and Denton Mateychuk.
Waddell will have a lot to balance as Columbus aims to jump back into the postseason following a 2-7-1 nose dive in the final 10 games to end the 2025-26 season.
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
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