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.
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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.
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.
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.