The benefit of having seen Kirill Marchenko escape from the Canadiens

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
The benefit of having seen Kirill Marchenko escape from the Canadiens
Credit: Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images

Kirill Marchenko is now, for better or worse, tied to the Maple Leafs.

The Toronto team chose to trade the only top-tier player who could truly adapt to playoff hockey for a highly talented player who will earn a higher salary.

Will it pay off? Because right now, it's the Blue Jackets (the team that was in trouble, as we recall) who are being praised by just about everyone.

There's a good chance we'll see Kirill Marchenko face off against the Canadiens tonight—he's likely just arrived in town as I'm writing this.

But will he have a valid visa in hand by game time?

It's clear that the Canadiens must be disappointed to see two of their 2026 draft targets traded for one another. This complicates things for Kent Hughes moving forward.

But if the stars align, this could turn out to be a good thing.

Maybe one day, we'll look back and say the Canadiens did the right thing by not giving the moon and the stars for a player who supposedly didn't show up in shape for Blue Jackets camp, who has a bad attitude, and who's overpaid.

Why? Because that could leave room for something else.

Nicolas Cloutier (TVA Sports) wrote an article reminding us, precisely, that the Canadiens are in a position to offer anyone a big contract. And in this case, the name that keeps coming up is Connor McDavid.

We're not saying it's going to happen or that McJesus absolutely wants to do this. But if he's ever interested in the idea, the Habs are more than ever in a position to be an option.

It would have been more complicated with Marchenko in town, logically. And that goes for both the money and the assets to be traded.

So the fact that the Canadiens weren't able to offer the Blue Jackets what they wanted could, in the long run, help the Habs. But for that to happen, it's the same old story: Kent Hughes will have to make a move for the right player (ideally a center) at some point.


In Brief

– Must-read.

– Rumors about the Blue Jays.

– Sidney Crosby and the Penguins have not yet reached an agreement on a contract for 2027. [JdeM]

– A mother proud of her sons.

facebook icon Share twitter icon Tweet linkedin icon Share
Copied!