Frustrated by stagnant results, Columbus’s top scorer Kirill Marchenko reportedly joins star defenseman Zach Werenski in seeking an exit, potentially forcing a massive Blue Jackets roster overhaul.
According to reports circulating around the NHL, Russian forward Kirill Marchenko of the Columbus Blue Jackets wants a change of scenery.
This comes as Zach Werenski has also voiced his willingness to be traded to the organization.
Unfortunately, the Blue Jackets have been a middle-of-the-pack club for the last few seasons, and with no massive roster changes set to come, Marchenko, along with Werenski, has had enough.
Marchenko, 25, is the Blue Jackets' top forward. He is coming off a season where he had 27 goals and 40 assists for 67 points in 76 games. Just one season removed from scoring his career high in goals, assists and points with 31-43-74 and was a +29.
The Bernaul native is in the last year of a three-year deal that pays him an average annual value of $3.8 million. He is set to be a restricted free agent at the end of the 2026-27 season.
Which likely means, if they don't opt to trade him this season, that his rights will be dealt in the 2027 offseason.
It is a tough pill to swallow for the Blue Jackets; their best forward and defensemen want to part from the organization. Obviously, the next few days will be critical in terms of the direction that the team goes. If they land a few bigger free agents, they may keep Marchenko happy enough to stay for the season. If not, Columbus could be looking at a major overhaul by the middle of July.
