After a few weeks of little noise, the rumors have once again picked up around Columbus Blue Jackets' forward Kirill Marchenko. The big question is how legitimate those rumors are and if the Blue Jackets really are considering moving one of their best players.
If the rumors are true, then Buffalo Sabres' general manager Jarmo Kekalainen can't wait to pick up the phone and call his former team to see if a trade can be worked out. Kekalainen knows Marchenko well, as he was the general manager in Columbus when he was drafted in 2018.
For the Sabres, a trade for Marchenko makes a lot of sense as the Sabres just lost Alex Tuch this summer. Marchenko is only 26 years old and is a big power forward who can help replace some of what was lost with Tuch being traded to the Capitals.
Breaking down the ideal trade package for the Buffalo Sabres to offer the Columbus Blue Jackets
While the Sabres would love to have Marchenko in their lineup, the Blue Jackets certainly would as well. They are also in a tough spot as they already went through rumors of Zach Werenski wanting to be traded this summer, and if they move a player like Marchenko, it is a hard sell to Werenski that they want to compete.
However, the Sabres have incredible depth at forward and in fact may have too many forwards with 13 under contract, and that total doesn't even include Konsta Helenius or Jiri Kulich. They are in a position where they could put together a package with multiple players that helps the Blue Jackets add depth while the Sabres improve their Top 6.
For the Sabres, including Josh Norris and Jack Quinn elevates some of the roster logjam at center while also sending an upside player like Quinn. He is coming off a 20-goal season and seems to just be hitting the prime of his career.
Those two players are a boost for the Blue Jackets' middle six while still adding draft capital with a first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft, which is the pick they received from the Edmonton Oilers for Devon Levi.
As mentioned, the Sabres then get a Top 6 forward that can slot in on the top line if the coaching staff wants to move Tage Thompson inside to center. The other option is on the second line with Josh Doan on the wing and either Noah Ostlund or Konsta Helenius at center.
Right now, there hasn't been anything definitive that the Blue Jackets want to trade Kirill Marchenko but a trade like this could be enough to get Columbus to at least listen. Meanwhile, the Sabres replace a big part in their lineup with a younger player who should be able to help them get back to the playoffs.
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