NHL Rumor Mill – September 1, 2026
Check out the latest on Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko and Senators winger Drake Batherson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
Join me and Jim Biringer of Full Press Hockey as we discuss Cale Makar’s record contract with the Avalanche, Quinn Hughes’ contract talks with the Wild, and the latest notable rumors.
THE LATEST KIRILL MARCHENKO RUMORS
THE SICK PODCAST: James Murphy reported one of his sources believes that the Columbus Blue Jackets don’t intend to trade Kirill Marchenko. However, another source isn’t ruling out the possibility
Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko (NHL Images).
The 25-year-old right wing entered the rumor mill in June after an ESPN report claimed he was reluctant to sign a contract extension.
Speculation grew in July following a report from Russia claiming the Blue Jackets were discussing a trade involving Kirill Marchenko, sparking rumors linking him to the Montreal Canadiens. However, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell dismissed those reports.
Murphy’s second source claimed that if the Blue Jackets were willing to “really consider” trading Marchenko, the Canadiens would be at the front of the line of trade suitors. He suggested that he might sacrifice Marchenko to free up salary cap room to re-sign restricted free-agent center Adam Fantilli.
Asked what it would cost the Canadiens to acquire Marchenko, Murphy’s source said they won’t part with prospect center Michael Hage.
THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell recently suggested Marchenko as a trade target for the Edmonton Oilers.
Mitchell argued that the Oilers need to pursue an impact player, someone who can deliver guaranteed production for at least the next five seasons. He believes Marchenko could address that need, and suggested that they could sign him to a long-term deal if he flourishes in Edmonton.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets have over $12.6 million in cap space for this season. They’d have no reason to move Marchenko and his $3.85 million cap hit in a cost-cutting move unless Fantilli is seeking well over $13 million annually.
However, the Blue Jackets might not have to take that step right away. They could place goaltender Elvis Merzlikins on long-term injury reserve to start the season if his recent shoulder surgery sidelines him for a long period of time. Of course, they’ll have to become cap-compliant once Merzlikins is ready to return later in the season.
The Canadiens could be among the suitors for Marchenko if he becomes available. It’s no secret they’re in the market for a top-six forward (preferably a center) to play alongside budding superstar Ivan Demidov on their second line. They also have the depth in draft picks, prospects, promising young players, and long-term salary-cap space to make a tempting offer.
However, that’s not the same case for the Oilers. They would likely lose a bidding war for Marchenko.
UPDATE ON DRAKE BATHERSON’S CONTRACT TALKS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch believes the Senators must move quickly to sign Drake Batherson to a new contract before uncertainty over his future sets in.
Batherson, 28, is UFA-eligible next July. He’s in the final season of a six-year contract worth $4.95 million annually.
Senators GM Steve Staios has indicated he wants to re-sign Batherson, who wants to remain with the Senators. Garrioch cited sources claiming the winger seeks an eight-year contract but it would have to be signed before Sept. 15, after which the league maximum contract term drops to seven years for re-signings and from seven to six years for unrestricted free agents.
It’s believed Batherson could command between $10 million and $11 million annually on the open market next summer. Garrioch cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting there is a pathway to a deal, but it involves compromise on both sides. That means closing the AAV gap on an eight-year deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Garrioch points out, if they don’t get a deal signed by Sept. 15, the Senators might not be willing to go with a higher AAV on a seven-year contract. The longer the term, the lower the AAV could be.
I don’t see the Jackets trading Marchenko right now. They still want to push for the playoffs and they eventually need to extend Werenski so they have to keep him happy. But if next June Marchenko is non commital to an extension they’ll have no choice but to trade him.
While I agree on not wanting to see Kirill the Thrill traded, the reality is that the Jackets have always had problems keeping Russian players. Columbus doesn’t have a significant percentage of immigrant citizens and residents, and near zero Russians.
Paul. Both Provorov and Nichuskin signed long term. Bobrovsky and Panarin chose to leave for more desirable places. Would love to see Marchenko end up in NY. Bjorckstrand isn’t a long term solution. He’s played for Russia in past with newly acquired Dorofeyev. Big year for Lafreniere. Last season with no ntc.
I still think there’s a chance Larkin could join his buddy in Columbus. (Or Werenski goes to Detroit?). Maybe Marchenko ends up in trade for Larkin.
Just my opinion, but I think the noise around Marchenko isn’t necessarily about wanting out, but wanting to see how the season unfolds with the new(ish) coach and the team’s position in the playoff race.
Marchenko not wanting to sign an extension kind of signals a “prove it” period to the Columbus org.
But if Columbus falters and isn’t showing as a strong playoff caliber team, I can see Clb trading Marchenko (and maybe even Werenski) at the upcoming trade deadline to reset themselves for next year.
I don’t think Marchenko’s intentions were to “wait and see”, his comments were clear that he has no intention to extend in CBJ. This is unlike Werenski who took a more “wait and see” and then after the failed trade to Dallas he recanted with he wants to stay in CBJ. Now whether this is just to avoid the unending media questions going forward who knows. Maybe he really does want to stay but it appears Marchenko does not.
https://www.markerzone.com/news/index.php?no=602870
If CBJ “has to” move Marchenko then it is a perfect storm right now. They above all else need to extend Fantilli and they obviously want to go 8 yrs before the deadline of Sept 15th, so they could use some cap space before then. Plus they have lineup holes to fill especially for an experienced back up goalie (and no Copley doesn’t cut it). They could move Merzlikins to LTIR but he’s not going to be out all season so you are delaying the inevitable of dumping salary when he comes back.
In a perfect world for CBJ they clear salary, sign Fantilli for 8 yrs, and add a back up goalie so they still have a shot at a playoff spot. Moving Marchenko could do those things but it involves them taking a goalie making not much over the league minimum (who they could potentially demote to the AHL when Merzlikins comes back), and adding a roster player to take Marchenko’s spot.
A deal for a similar talent and priced forward for Marchenko does nothing to help them get Fantilli signed.
I still think a trade with MTL is CBJ’s best option. A deal of Montembault at 50% retained, plus Struble and an NHL ready prospect like Beck and a pick or prospect for Marchenko (and maybe a salary dump like Gudbranson) would help both sides.
Howard, Marchenko is an RFA with arbitration rights after this season. Waddell can file for arbitration, blocking an offer sheet, and see where things go from there, either a negotiated contract, trading his rights, seeing what an awarded contract comes to, or a sign and trade. My point is that Waddell does have choices. I can’t see a clearly superior option at this point, as we don’t know what offers CBJ is getting for Marchenko.
LJ if Waddell does that he pretty much guarantees that Marchenko walks as a UFA the following year if he’s not traded. Waddell may have options if Marchenko decides not to extend but the least bad option would be a trade.
Are we going to see a flurry of 8 year deals over the next two weeks
Might have to in order to spread big dollars
Fantili dollars and term will be interesting
I think he does a 3 for $13.5 $14m aav.
An expensive bridge
If push comes to shove in the Staios-Batherson negotiations, and the GM sees a trade as the only viable option for the big RW, perhaps he can talk to the teams where his Nova Scotia summer work-out buddies are located – Colorado (MacKinnon), Pittsburgh (Crosby) and Florida (Marchand) – to see if one of them is interested and, if so, what the exchange might be.
George I would be very shocked to see Staois no resigning Batherson. I think he needs to be resigned, you can’t let another key piece leave IMO. I think a deal will get done before Sep 15th. The guys are tight with Bath many of which enjoy going g to his home in NS to train with Crosby and McKinnon in the summer. He’s been on a steal contract for years and he gets better every year. Sens need to cough up here.
Not (totally) disagreeing there Owen … just that he does turn 28 next April, and if he were to get an 8-year deal, he’d be pushing 37 part way through that final season.
Yeah, who knows what the cap will look like by 2034/35, I agree … but $11 mil per for a F who … by all statistical analysis proof … will see some drop off in production by his early 30s, followed by a significant one by 34 – is risky. At best.
Especially by one whose 2-way game needs some notable improvement. This past season, when the team possessed among the better overall defensive markers in the league, only he and Cozens were a minus 7 while the rest of the Fs had a plus ranging from +4 to + 20.
That was more or less a continuation of what has been consistent minus ratings dating back 7 seasons: -12, -17, +4, -35, =9, -9, -7.
Of the 3 teams the Pens would have the assets to acquire Batherson. Unless they have a real discord,It might be best to have Batherson as an own rental. If the season goes south for the Sen’s then you can trade him at the deadline and probably get a better return.
Pens have the assets but I doubt they would move them. Batherson is not the type of player they are looking for age wise. Unless a rakell went back the other way I don’t see it.
That’s certainly an option, Gary. But Trade Day deals don’t always – historically at least – bring returns better than those negotiated in the off-season. And that window is fast closing.
I would take anything Jimmy Murphy says with a grain of salt. He might be a bit more reliable than Eklund. I was always getting roped into his trade rumours, nothing ever happened.Nothing bruin yet on the Boston Front. oh I heard the oilers may take a stab at Connor H. If the oilers get him it could mean a Stanley cup.
I am sure the Oilers have inquired…i just dont think we have the pieces.
Jarry would have to go the other way in the pkg. Not sure how appetizing that would be.
Then what do we add…that the Jets actually need?
It would be cool if it happened…i just dont see a trade pkg that works for the Jets.
John Apple, looks like Boston is going to roll with their young kids. This is the right thing to do. If they are a potential WC team which I Don t think they are ,then deal at the deadline with money you have left. Don t see the group signing a guy like Tarasenko. Looks like Guerin took a swing and missed on Hughes.If they switch gears do you see him going all out for Larkin?
Sr, it’s looking more and more like the remaining unsigned UFAs like Tarasenko, Lainem Tolvanen, Bunting, Kurashev, Reaces, Klingberg, Stanley, Leddy, Reilly, Petry, Talbot, Ingram and Reimer will either have to settle for a degrading P.T.O., sign somewhere in Europe … or call it a day.
Certainly those teams still with RFAs to re-up will be preoccupied enough with those negotiations to risk depleting their cap to any significant extent by offering what some among those UFAs may be seeking: Montreal with Arver Xhekaj and Bolduc; Carolina with Nikishin, Detroit with Edvinson (not to mention still looking for a GM with the interim Horcoff not having such authority); Columbus with Fantilli; and Anaheim with Gauthier.
Considering who’s available and the questionable quality, my bet is that teams figure they have as good if not better chances to land a solid roster player during training camp cuts and waivers.
Why do the small market teams in the NFL not have the same problems as the NHL smaller markets. I don’t hear of any players demanding to go to big markets teams.
Jeff, if you pose that question in Google the answer you’t is
“NFL small market teams do not face the same financial or player-retention problems as the NHL because the NFL has a strict hard salary cap, massive revenue sharing, and a short career lifespan that forces players to chase maximum dollars rather than lifestyle markets.”
44% of NHL teams revenue is from ticket sales. In contrast, only 17% of NFL teams is from ticket sales. For the NFL, local markets have less of an I real impact.