NHL analyst says there's a ‘good chance' Kirill Marchenko ends up with Canadian team

Kirill Marchenko trade rumors involving the Montreal Canadiens are picking up steam again, and this time the buzz feels different.

Tony Marinaro of The Sick Podcast said this week he believes there's a good chance the Columbus Blue Jackets winger still ends up in Montreal, pointing to the relationship between Marchenko's camp and the Canadiens front office.

The speculation ramped up after Marinaro suggested something could be brewing behind the scenes right now.

Marchenko's agent, Dan Milstein, also represents Ivan Demidov, and Marinaro believes that connection matters.

Demidov has thrived since arriving in Montreal, and the belief is that Marchenko has taken notice.

Milstein reportedly has a strong relationship with Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes and executive vice president Jeff Gorton, two factors that could push a deal toward completion.

Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell addressed the situation recently, saying he won't be forced into moving Marchenko unless the return genuinely helps Columbus.

Jimmy Murphy, speaking alongside Marinaro, called that comment a shift, suggesting Waddell is now open to offers again.

Word is that other teams have been calling about Marchenko non-stop as well, but Montreal remains viewed as the frontrunner.

Marchenko is 26 years old and comes with one season left on his contract at a $3.85 million cap hit, a number that looks like a bargain given his production.

He scored 27 goals and posted 67 points last season, and in four years with Columbus he has piled up 102 goals and 208 points across 292 games.

At 6 feet 3 inches, he also gives Montreal the size and scoring punch it has been chasing for its top six.

Any team that lands him will need to be ready to pay both in trade capital and in a significant extension down the road.

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