Once again, the Columbus Blue Jackets failed to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for what would have been the first time since the 2020 “bubble” in Edmonton, and for what would have only been the seventh time in their history, which began as an expansion franchise prior to the 2000-01 season.
Despite a Norris Trophy-winning season from defenseman Zach Werenski and a boost from newly-hired head coach Rick Bowness, the Blue Jackets once again weren’t able to seal the deal. And now, there could be additional changes on the horizon, including with the future of one of their young key forward pieces.
According to NHL Insider Frank Seravalli, the Blue Jackets have been receiving calls about the potential of acquiring forward Kirill Marchenko:
“Teams have been calling Columbus GM Don Waddell about Marchenko for the last couple weeks, his name percolating in the rumor mill,” Seravalli wrote via Hockey 247. “And while the Blue Jackets are not actively seeking to move Marchenko, a burgeoning star that will be incredibly difficult to replace, that hasn’t stopped teams from wondering whether he’s actually interested in extending in Columbus this summer.”
Seravalli notes that Marchenko joins Werenski in recent trade rumors.
Marchenko was taken by the Blue Jackets in the second round (49th overall pick) of the 2018 NHL Draft while he was playing in his native Russia with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL, and he would make his debut with the club in the 2022-23 NHL season while splitting time with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters.
In 292 career NHL games, Marchenko has scored 102 goals with 106 assists for 208 points.
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