NHL Rumor Mill – September 3, 2026
Could Kirill Marchenko land with the Canadiens? Will the Blues pursue Alexander Nikishin? Could the Senators sign Patrik Laine? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Check out the latest Pucks In Deep podcast where we discuss the latest news on Connor Hellebuyck, Quinn Hughes, and more.
LA PRESSE: Mathias Brunet believes Montreal Canadiens fans should keep an eye on Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko.
Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko (NHL Images).
The 25-year-old Marchenko is a restricted free agent next summer and can become an unrestricted free agent in 2028. He hasn’t signed a long-term extension and reportedly requested a trade this summer. However, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell has yet to finalize a trade and expects Marchenko to report to training camp as planned.
Brunet noted that the Canadiens are in the market for a top-six forward. In the absence of a second-line center in the trade market, adding a winger like Marchenko would be a viable alternative.
The Blue Jackets would set a high price. They could ask for a top prospect like center Michael Hage or winger Alexander Zharovsky, along with a first-round pick and possibly one or two other assets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchenko’s uncertain future with the Blue Jackets ensures he’ll be a fixture in the rumor mill this season, with the Canadiens considered the front-runners to acquire him because they need to bolster their second line.
However, the Canadiens won’t be the only team linked to Marchenko, and a trade to Montreal isn’t a certainty. We also can’t dismiss the possibility that he has a change of heart and signs an extension with the Blue Jackets.
THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford made 10 bold predictions for the St. Louis Blues this season. Among them was his forecast that they will make a trade for Alexander Nikishin.
The Carolina Hurricanes defenseman is a restricted free agent after completing his entry-level contract last season. He’s ineligible to sign an offer sheet because he didn’t play the required number of games to qualify.
Rutherford believes the 24-year-old Nikishin fits the profile of the defenseman first-year general manager Alex Steen seeks. His market value is projected at nearly $8 million annually, but he lacks leverage, and the Hurricanes might be unwilling to go that high. Rutherford predicts they get him for a reasonable asking price and a bridge contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues have been linked to Nikishin since July, but there’s no sign that a deal is on the horizon yet. Other clubs will also be interested in the promising young blueliner, which could set off a bidding war for his services.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators discussed signing unrestricted free-agent winger Patrik Laine. However, he considers it “highly doubtful” that he’ll land in Ottawa.
Garrioch stated there is “reportedly interest from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, and Tampa Bay Lightning.” He felt the Senators aren’t interested because they don’t feel he’s the right fit for their roster. Instead, they’re putting their faith in offseason addition Andre Burakovsky to find his game.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The New York Islanders looked into signing Laine to a professional tryout offer, but he’s more interested in a contract.
The talk about Laine and Ottawa as a possible new location seems to have gained traction from this Sept 2 article by Skyler Walker at Markerzone:
https://www.markerzone.com/news/index.php?no=603140
Not sure what kind of contract Laine thinks he can get, other than a 1 year prove it deal. Cheap deal with incentives. I think Buffalo could be a landing spot. Has history with Kekalainen.
Marchenko would look really nice in NY on a line with Dorofeyev.
What’s going on with Ducks and Gauthier? Teams cutting it close to start of season with their rfa’s.
Verbeek definitely gets an “F” for his offseason grade.
He was overly boisterous about “matching anything” and other teams, agents, & players called his bluff.
They were a team on the rise just 3 months ago, now I wonder if they even make the playoffs with their decimated defense.
Laine’s best days are behind him. Injuries and age took away whatever speed he had. He is a defensive liability. At best he is a power play specialist. The Habs gave him restricted playing time at even strength and gave him power play time because of his deficiencies. I would be leary of signing him. I don’t see him being a good fit on many teams.
Keep Marchenko I’ll keep Hage and Zharovsky.
I’ll take Voronkov for draft picks if anything.
I’m one of those fans that is always looking for trades to improve the Habs, while there are others who are resistant to change.
This year I think the Habs rebuild is going into the next mode of benefiting from the fruits of prospect development to improve from within, at least to start the season.
Gallagher, Laine and Veleno are gone.
Beck, Berard, Xhekaj and Reinbacher will be evaluated in camp to step in.