Kirill Marchenko is still in Russia, but the Blue Jackets' leading goal scorer is expected to start the upcoming season in Columbus after a turbulent offseason that included trade speculation sparked by his reported unwillingness to stay long-term.
Blue Jackets president/general manager Don Waddell has listened to trade offers since late June, when Marchenko's desire to play elsewhere surfaced during ESPN's draft coverage, just moments before the Jackets picked forward Oscar Hemming 14th overall.
No deal emerged. Waddell said July 2 that he expects Marchenko to play for the Blue Jackets and that nothing has changed despite a report in late July out of Russia saying a trade was imminent. Turns out it wasn't, and Waddell still expects the winger to play for the Blue Jackets starting Sept. 16 on the first day of training camp.
"He’s a player under contract," Waddell said. "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.”
Marchenko's agent, Dan Milstein, has not replied to a text message.
Since Marchenko's NHL debut Dec. 6, 2022, in a 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, he has become a top scoring fixture for the Blue Jackets. Playing right wing on the top line, he's either led or tied for the team lead in goals the past three years and has topped the 100 mark in goals (102) and assists (106) in 292 games.
Marchenko is also a key part of the Jackets' top power-play unit and has become their top option in shootouts by scoring at a 60% clip (6 of 10) in his career. At the end of his current deal, which carries a $3.85 million charge against the NHL's salary cap, Marchenko will still be under team control as a restricted free agent for one more season.
He is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time July 1, 2028.
That could be the source of any discontent, since the Blue Jackets might not have enough salary space to retain him along with star center Adam Fantilli and star defenseman Zach Werenski, whose own contractual uncertainty led to a trade with the Dallas Stars that he vetoed with full no-movement rights in his current contract.
Waddell said Marchenko didn't give any indication during exit interviews in April that he was unhappy or not interested in staying long-term. In fact, Waddell's trade June 25 to acquire Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche was made, in part, because the Russian power forward is friends with Marchenko and defenseman Ivan Provorov.
One day later, Kevin Weekes cited "Marchenko's camp," during ESPN's draft coverage while dropping a bombshell about Marchenko not wanting to stay long-term with the Blue Jackets. Now, with training camp on the horizon, the Blue Jackets are again counting on Marchenko.
"It’s been a crazy summer, but I think we’re in a good spot," Waddell said. "I think we’ll get everything accomplished that we need to get accomplished before we start, and we'll be ready to roll.”
Dispatch Blue Jackets/Crew reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Kirill Marchenko remains on track to play for Columbus Blue Jackets
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