Don Waddell reveals what he wants in return for Kirill Marchenko
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Kirill Marchenko trade buzz is heating up after Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell softened his stance, with Montreal seen as a potential trade fit.
Something is shifting in Columbus, and its not just the weather heading into training camp.
Kirill Marchenko's name is suddenly floating around the rumor mill again, and this time it feels different.
For most of the summer, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell made it clear that Marchenko wasnt going anywhere, calling him close to untouchable.
That tone has softened in a big way over the past few weeks.
During a recent appearance on The Sick Podcast, Waddell broke down exactly what it would take for Columbus to consider moving the young winger, and the shift in language was hard to miss.
Why the Blue Jackets could be forced to deal
The real driver here isnt sentiment, its math.
Columbus is currently sitting on just $12.6 million in cap space, and theyre still trying to lock up restricted free agent Adam Fantilli on a new contract before the season starts.
That kind of squeeze tends to change a front offices priorities in a hurry, even for a player as talented as Marchenko.
If Waddell does decide to explore trade offers, dont expect him to want established NHL salaries coming back the other way.
Draft picks and prospects make a lot more sense for a team trying to manage its books this season and beyond.
Montreal could be a perfect trade partner
Thats where things get interesting for teams like the Canadiens.
Montreal has one of the deepest prospect pools in the league and the type of futures package that could actually get a deal like this done.
Marchenko put up 67 points last season, exactly the kind of scoring punch a team like Montreal could use on its second line right away.
Blue Jackets training camp opens soon, and if this cap crunch doesnt ease up in Columbus, the Marchenko rumors are only going to get louder from here on out.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Chris Kreider has revealed the team he wants to play for next
Chris Kreider has revealed the team he wants to play for next
Previously on House Of Hockey