NHL Rumor Mill – September 28, 2026
Check out the latest on Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko and Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports trade rumors suggest the Columbus Blue Jackets might trade Kirill Marchenko before their season opener on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres.
Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko (NHL Images).
The 26-year-old winger has made it clear that he’ll quite likely leave the Blue Jackets once his contract expires.
Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell has informed his fellow NHL GMs that Marchenko is available. However, he seeks immediate scoring help in return and isn’t interested in draft picks and prospects. “We want the best player possible to replace him,” Waddell said.
Waddell indicated he’s receiving calls about Marchenko, but he’s not “making the calls.” So far, no one has met his asking price.
Rival clubs hope the Blue Jackets get desperate, but they aren’t. Marchenko is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer, meaning the Jackets control his rights after this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets aren’t under pressure to move Marchenko as they would be if he were slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Waddell can be patient and wait for a suitable offer.
THE SCORE: Kyle Cushman cited Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin, who told TNT on Friday that he’s trying not to put too much pressure on Quinn Hughes to sign a contract extension.
Hughes, 26, is UFA-eligible next July unless he re-signs with the Wild before July 1.
Guerin acknowledged that this is a major decision for Hughes as he tries to determine what’s best for him and his family. He reminded everyone that winger Kirill Kaprizov went through the same thing at this time last year.
“We’re trying to allow him the time, not put too much pressure on him. He knows where we stand. We want him here for a long, long time. He’s a big part of our team, a big part of our core. But again, these things take time.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s assumed Hughes will bolt for the New Jersey Devils and reunite with his brothers, Jack and Luke, as a free agent next July.
However, we must also consider that Hughes wants to see how this season unfolds with the Wild before he decides what to do.
If the Wild have a great season and win the Stanley Cup, or at least look like a perennial Cup contender, that could convince him to stay in Minnesota.
Nevertheless, the longer Hughes remains unsigned, the more he’ll remain a fixture in this season’s rumor mill.
cbjfanpaul@gmail.com
With salary cap rising next year and the following the money will be there to sign Marchenko.
They are a good young team on paper who haven’t put it all together but had a good run with Bowness and he’s starting the season with them now.
Wouldn’t surprise me if Marchenko stayed there, Waddell signed him to his contract and he’s a very effective GM.
Jackets should move Marchenko as soon as the right offer comes around. Why have the distraction in your locker room all season long? If he’s not committed, then move him and get the new assets assimilated into your team.
The right offer needs to be the right offer. Waddell isn’t going to give him away and while Marchenko says he wants out he is still the Jacket property for this year and the next. Only thing Marchenko has is arbitration rights next year. It wouldn’t be wise for him to dog it this year that will only hurt him. So to all teams that want him pony up.
Next summer if he files for arbitration then he walks right into FA. You would think the longer they wait for a trade the less return they might get. His cap for this season makes him that more valuable
Sounds like the Leafs are in talks for Marchenko. Maybe the right deal has been offered.
I think we make a little too much about locker room distractions.
We dont know Marchenko, nor his reasons for not wanting to re up. They maybe understood and supported by others in the room…or they maybe indifferent or you may be on to something and it causes friction.
My only point is that the locker room is seldom so fragile that any little thing such as a player simply making it clear that they do not intend to sign next season will be the card to tumble the house.
Some locker rooms are solid and a player wanting to leave isn’t such an issue.
Teams that see numerous players go public about wanting to leave or at the very least, fail to commit long term are susceptible to having room issues. Why should I commit long term to a team when others refuse to do so?
Frankly, I am pulling for Columbus I would like to see a winner there. Good people, good fans.
Agreed, 1Oilerfan.
I’ve earlier said that I couldn’t imagine the Wings players were impressed with Larkin essentially saying “I can’t win with you guys,” but once the season starts that fades.
As for Marchenko, what is the point of trading for him if you have to give a scoring forward back. That’s like for like. The receiving team is surely going to have to pay more for him after this year given the rise in cap than they have committed to whomever they would move.
I’ve heard from some the so called experts some of it you can take with a grain of salt but most do say the bruins have the inside track.
On Marchenko Go get him Donny.just don’t give up Hagens he’s our future. I don’t want go overboard here but if James proves himself here and I believe he will. He could be bumped up. If does get on one of first two lines I can easily him scoring in excess of 15 goals Possibly 20.
If the Bruins want someone of that quality they are not going to get him – now – for mid-range players like Minten and Lohrei.
Hey George, I know you have some knowledge of the Leafs even though you’re no fan of the club but you hear the noise that comes out of it. So, something that’s been on my mind for a while now is how little we heard of Minten when he was on the Leafs (other than some fans mentioning he will be a good player in the NHL some day) but nothing like the value or the chatter we hear now he’s no longer a Leaf.
I’m wondering if that’s more about roster or organizational makeup or regency bias/click bating at work. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good player but seems to be hyped a bit more than he was on one of the most hyped about teams.
Just chewing the fat.
George
Would trade Minton straight up for him He is no star just a nice complement for scoring some goals. He won’t live upto his next contract IMHO. I seen people saying Zacha and Hagens for him on Bruin sites Zacha is better player and Hagens will be even more so. So hopefully he goes somewhere else signs is 10mil plus and screws up another team not Boston
Ron, at 6’ 2” and just over 200lbs – something he uses very effectively in puck protection and to win puck battles along the walls and in corners – Minten has certainly showcased his primary value as an elite penalty-killer. And, to boot, his 17g 18a 35 pts in 82gp last season no doubt has the Boston coaching staff hoping he can continue to improve that aspect of his game to the point where he transcends from being regarded as # 3 C to a top 6 role.
And he may well do that. But right now there is little point to Wadell giving up a top RW in the league (202gp with 82-game averages of 29g 30a 59 pts over 4 seasons) for a defensive specialist who MIGHT also develop into a top 6 role. With Marchenko an RFA next year, Waddel is in no hurry to make a move he doesn’t like.
If Marcheko has his head on straight, he’ll play at his absolute best, and if the numbers continue to pile up as the season progresses – and teams are running into injuries or see an addition of his quality as perhaps solidifying a run at the title – you can bet the offers will rise accordingly.
As for Toronto’s decision to include him in that deal for Carlo, to that point he had played all of 19 NHL games, with 2g 2a 4pts and an aggregate -4, and 37 AHL games with 9g 11a 20 pts and an aggregate -12. So, nothing to show any great scoring potential at the pro level nor, for that matter, any of his since-developed, strong defensive attributes.
Let’s be realistic, the attraction for Boston in that deal for Carlo wasn’t Minten, but rather the 2026 1st Rounder and 2025 4th Rounder.
Well, I guess we just see things differently then, Mrbruin4, when it comes to Marchenko. At 6’ 3” and just over 200lbs, and a legitimate power-forward RW, in 4 seasons he has accumulated 82-game averages of close to 30 goals 30 assists, including a breakout 2024-25 season when he had 31g 43a 74 pts. He followed that up this past season contributing 68 pts in 76gp. He’s also no slouch on the defensive side of the game.
I’d love to see Ottawa get in on the action if and when Waddel gets serious about dealing him.
George
According to Ai. Completion of rankings
Marchenko generally ranks right around the #15 to #20 range among all NHL right wingers. So not the star being portrayed. And will get over paid 100%
Don’t see CLB taking Zacha unless he agrees to an extension.
CBJ have Fantilli and Monahan as their 1 & 2 C.
Zacha is the better player. Only way he gets traded is if new salary ask is out too lunch for bruins
What Zacha will want is a big question MB4.
Not even sure I would want even take a guess at it these days?
He will be 30 at the start of next season $8M per x 6 years? Or is that too low these days?
I sure as heck don’t know.
He is probably our best C.
John
Who said that? Elliotte said they made an offer. But pretty sure that was before they landed Jj. Definitely don’t want to over pay for a second line winger who is going to get grossly overpaid next contract
My take on the Bruins is the followingMinton had a nice year last year as a 3 rd center. He will score more if he gets to play with offensive or top 6 forwards. Zacha has had that luxury almost his entire career in Boston. Sweeney is playing it close to the vest with Zacha and Middlestadt also. If they are a wild card team,they will sign Zacha. If not he will be moved at the deadline.
Leafs going for Marchenko!
Look like it. Trying to work an extension 1st. Wonder who they are giving up? Knies and Cowan. Pretty much only ones with trade protection
Ya, those can be traded anywhere.
If I’m the Leafs not sure why I would add though? Knies had a tough year defensively last year but was playing hurt as well. Production #’s are similar.
But Knies is on what now looks like a darn good contract for the long term, and we don’t know what Marchenko wants, but guessing more than Knies earns by quite a bit. That is valuable.
Columbus throws in Johnson or some other guy who is more hope that prospect.
Yeah, and apparently, in addition to wanting to get his agreement on an extension first, and related cap constraints, it’s being reported that the deal might include Merzlikins to help move money around.
Possibly the 3rd team in the Helle sweepstakes may be the Rangers, they’ve tried to grab Nikishin early on and couldn’t find a fit with the Canes.
Helle to Car
Nikishin to NYR
Schneider, Nadeau, NYR 1st(protected) Kochetkov
Jets get the future top six forward and top 4 RHS dman they’ve been wanting, along with an adequate back up goalie with upside, Nikishin gets to join the Russians in the Apple.
Hearing just now how Leafs like Marchenko and want to sign him to an extension before any trade. I like Marchenko but not sure about trading Knies. Knies gives them size down low along the boards and it will badly missed if traded. Maybe the contract needs to be moved. Can Leafs get Marchenko without trading Knies? I know that would not be what Waddell has said he wants back though. I like the Leafs forward group right now and Marchenko could still be available in a few months. What is the rush? thx
RFA Simon Edvinsson No Longer Has Locker In Red Wings’ Room As Contract Stalemate Goes On
He was not allowed to practice Monday and won’t be allowed to till he has a contract.
No reward for loyalty, he should entertain an offer sheet.