Check out the latest on Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko and Stars winger Jason Robertson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE CHRIS JOHNSTON SHOW: During Monday’s episode, Johnston and co-host Julian McKenzie weighed in on winger Kirill Marchenko ducking questions last week about his future with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko (NHL Images).

Marchenko, 26, reportedly isn’t interested in signing a contract extension with the Blue Jackets. He’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer.

Johnston doesn’t believe those reports were misinterpreted or misconstrued. He thinks the Blue Jackets and the Marchenko camp will keep the peace for this season. However, he anticipates the Blue Jackets will see how things unfold, suggesting they could look at the trade market to see what Marchenko’s value could be.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline noted that Marchenko’s deflating comments did nothing to explain or dispel the reports about his unwillingness to sign an extension when his current deal expires.

Portzline pointed out that Marchenko’s status as a restricted free agent gives the Blue Jackets more leverage than if he were unrestricted. They’ll still own his rights when his current contract expires. He also stated that Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness has had no issues with Marchenko’s attitude in training camp, nor have his teammates.

TSN 1050: During an appearance on “FirstUp”, Darren Dreger noted the offseason trade rumors linking Marchenko to the Montreal Canadiens. However, the problem for any club interested in the scoring winger is finding sufficient salary-cap space to sign him.

According to Dreger, it’s bad enough that a team must give up significant assets to acquire Marchenko. On top of that, his new club would have to come up with a significant salary to re-sign him. Dreger suggested it could be around $12 million per season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yes, it’s fun to speculate about what teams might be interested in Marchenko and what the Blue Jackets’ asking price might be. However, paying the winger will be expensive.

The Canadiens have projected salary cap space of over $29 million, with 14 active roster players under contract. They must re-sign or replace UFA-eligible players like Chris Kreider, Phillip Danault, Josh Anderson, Alexandre Carrier, Kirby Dach, and Samuel Montembeault.

Oliver Kapanen, Arber Xhekaj, and Jayden Struble will be RFAs who must be signed or traded. Promising prospects Michael Hage and Alexander Zharovsky could also sign their entry-level contracts next year.

Assuming Dreger’s correct that it’ll cost $12 million annually for Marchenko, that’ll blow a big hole in the Canadiens’ cap space, potentially complicating efforts to retain some of those UFAs and RFAs, and could be an additional complication when trying to fit Hage or Zharovsky into the roster for next season.

That’s not to suggest that the Canadiens won’t make any significant additions. However, their preference could be a player with a contract that fits more comfortably within their salary-cap payroll.

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill considers re-signing Jason Robertson to be a priority this season.

Robertson, 26, signed a one-year, $12 million contract following contentious negotiations. At one point, he seemed on the verge of being traded to the Seattle Kraken, but that deal fell through when he refused to sign with the Kraken.

Nill said he met with Robertson and his family to mend the relationship. He remains hopeful of re-signing Robertson within the Stars’ salary-cap constraints.

The earliest the two sides can start extension talks is Jan. 1. LeBrun speculated the idea of reaching UFA status could weigh heavily on Robertson by then. It doesn’t make sense for the Stars to move him at the March trade deadline if they expect to be a Stanley Cup contender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars have a projected $39.2 million salary-cap space for 2027-28 with 12 active roster players signed. They have sufficient room to re-sign Robertson, though the asking price could jump to $18 million if he has another 90-point season.

How this season unfolds could determine Robertson’s future in Dallas. If they’re still in Stanley Cup contention, they’ll likely hang onto him for the playoffs and try to work something out before July 1.