The Montreal Canadiens may have just received their clearest warning yet that waiting on Kirill Marchenko could become expensive.
Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reported Friday that the Boston Bruins made an offer “at one point” for the Columbus Blue Jackets winger, while also identifying Montreal as one of several teams around the Marchenko situation. That follows Nick Kypreos reporting one day earlier that Montreal, Toronto and Edmonton appeared positioned to try to work something out with Columbus.
That does not mean Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has submitted an offer. It also does not establish when Boston made its proposal or what was included. But it does tell us something important: Marchenko’s market is not theoretical anymore.
If Montreal views the 26-year-old winger as a legitimate long-term piece, the Bruins entering the conversation makes this considerably more interesting. Boston isn’t simply another bidder. It is an Atlantic Division rival potentially pursuing the same impact forward Montreal could use alongside its emerging core.
Kirill Marchenko Trade Market Is Getting Crowded Around the Canadiens
Friedman’s Friday update substantially strengthened the Marchenko storyline. Sportsnet quoted him saying, “I heard Boston made an offer at one point.” He also referenced the Canadiens, Islanders, Maple Leafs, Winnipeg, Vegas and Seattle while discussing teams that have shown varying degrees of interest.
The key detail is that Friedman did not specify when Boston’s offer was submitted. That prevents us from concluding that the Bruins and Canadiens are currently engaged in some sort of head-to-head bidding war.
Still, Montreal’s interest is becoming difficult to dismiss as simple rumor recycling.
Kypreos wrote on September 24 that Marchenko wants out of Columbus and that Montreal, Edmonton and Toronto appear ready to try to make something work with the Blue Jackets. Friedman then independently included Montreal among the clubs around Marchenko the following day.
That is an important update to the earlier Canadiens trade rumors. The original Montreal link has not produced a trade, but subsequent reporting has continued to place the Canadiens in the conversation.
Kirill Marchenko: Three-Year Performance Trend
Marchenko produced 27 goals and 40 assists for 67 points in 76 games last season, after recording 31 goals and 74 points in 2024-25. NHL.com also notes that he has scored at least 21 goals in each of his four NHL seasons.
That consistency is why I believe Montreal should view him differently than a short-term deadline rental.
Marchenko is 26, shoots right, stands 6-foot-3 and has already demonstrated legitimate top-six NHL production. His $3.85-million cap hit also dramatically understates what comparable offensive production would normally cost on the open market.
What a Kirill Marchenko Trade Would Mean for the Montreal Canadiens
From Montreal’s perspective, the appeal is straightforward.
Marchenko could add another proven scoring threat without forcing the Canadiens to acquire a player already approaching the decline portion of his career. He fits much better with Montreal’s competitive timeline than many veteran names typically associated with NHL trade rumors.
My biggest concern would be the acquisition price.
Friedman said Columbus does not appear particularly interested in simply accumulating futures. That changes the equation considerably. A package built primarily around draft picks may not solve what the Columbus Blue Jackets want to accomplish. Columbus could prefer an NHL-ready player or a piece capable of helping immediately.
That is where Boston’s reported offer becomes important.
Even without knowing the contents, another serious bidder provides Columbus additional leverage. The Blue Jackets have no obligation to accept Montreal’s preferred price simply because Marchenko’s future in Columbus appears uncertain.
Canadiens–Marchenko Salary Cap Calculator
NHLTradeRumor.com • Illustrative cap scenarios
We currently list Montreal with a projected cap hit of $101,216,076 and $2,783,924 in projected cap space, while Marchenko carries a $3.85-million cap hit through this season.
That means Montreal could not simply add Marchenko’s entire contract to its current roster without another corresponding move. Roughly $1.07 million would need to come off the Canadiens’ cap calculation if Columbus retained no salary.
That should not be viewed as a major obstacle. In a significant player-for-player trade, salary is almost certainly leaving Montreal anyway.
The more interesting contract issue comes after the season. Marchenko is scheduled to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights in 2027, and his next contract would likely represent a significant increase from $3.85 million if his top-six production continues.
NHLTradeRumor.com Trade Value Index
Kirill Marchenko • Proprietary editorial model
Marchenko scores highly because of his age, recent production, affordable current contract and remaining RFA control.
Did Boston’s Offer Force Montreal’s Hand?
I would not say Montreal has reached a now-or-never moment.
Columbus still controls the process, and Friedman specifically raised the possibility that the Blue Jackets simply keep Marchenko and start the season with him. They are not required to trade him merely because other teams are calling.
But I do think Boston’s reported offer changes the way Hughes has to evaluate the opportunity.
If Montreal genuinely believes Marchenko could be part of its long-term top six, the Canadiens need to establish what their maximum price is before another team establishes it for them.
Marchenko is exactly the type of player contenders usually struggle to acquire: still in his prime, already productive, relatively inexpensive today and under team control beyond his current contract.
The Canadiens should not overpay simply because the Boston Bruins reportedly made an offer. Good organizations avoid bidding against themselves.
But they also cannot assume this opportunity will remain available indefinitely.
My read is that the biggest question is no longer whether Marchenko is a legitimate trade target. Multiple credible reports have established a real market around him.
The question is whether the Montreal Canadiens believe strongly enough in the Columbus Blue Jackets winger to pay the type of NHL-ready price Columbus appears to want.
And if Boston remains involved, Montreal may have to answer that question sooner than it expected.
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