Kirill Marchenko: The Chris Kreider situation isn’t helping the Blue Jackets

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Kirill Marchenko: The Chris Kreider situation isn’t helping the Blue Jackets
Credit: Capture d'écran | NHL.com

Don Waddell likes to say that he's in control of the Kirill Marchenko situation.

It's true that he does have some control: until July 1 of next year—when the Russian's current contract expires—the Blue Jackets can keep him without too much hassle.

He has the right to decide whether to let him walk next summer or in 2028, when he can become a free agent without compensation.

However, if he doesn't want to lose the Russian for nothing, Waddell would be wise to resolve the situation as quickly as possible—whether by signing him to a new contract or trading the star player.

And since we don't think this will end with a long-term contract aimed at keeping him in Ohio…

All of this is to say that time is working against Don Waddell. Naturally, this works in favor of the teams trying to secure Marchenko's services.

Obviously, the Canadiens are among that group. They are (at least publicly) the team most at the center of this situation.

It's clear that the signing of Chris Kreider—who has more memories than future as an NHL player—means the need for another top-6 winger is less urgent for Kent Hughes.

But as Mathias Brunet said on the “Mathias et le Serpent” podcast, that doesn't mean we should assume Marchenko won't end up in town after all.

Kreider won't be in the Canadiens' top-6 lineup in the long run. Bringing in reinforcements is still a perfectly logical move for Kent Hughes and his team.

And we can all agree that, since the urgency is lower than before, this can only give the Canadiens' GM more leverage against his counterpart in Ohio. He just has to tell him he's in no rush, which could affect the price he'd have to pay.

If Marchenko (who will have a say in his next destination) were to join the Canadiens, there would be a surplus of wingers in the top six. But that's a nice problem to have for Martin St-Louis, who is more than capable of handling it.

Especially if Marchenko doesn't arrive until Christmas or the trade deadline…


In a Nutshell

– It's a done deal.

– Wow.

– He wants to be here.

– Matthew Schaefer returns to the Martins.

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