The Columbus Blue Jackers might not just lose their star defenseman this offseason. It’s starting to look like Kirill Marchenko could be on his way out too.
According to a report from The Fourth Period, one team in the Western Conference has emerged as a serious suitor for the 27-goal winger. That team is the Utah Mammoth. Marchenko, who posted 67 points in 76 games during the 2025-26 season, is reportedly not interested in signing an extension with Columbus at this point.
And here’s where the numbers get real. Marchenko is currently making $3.85 million per year on his deal. But his next contract is going to look very different. The Hockey News reported that his representatives are looking for a deal comparable to what Pavel Dorofeyev just got from the New York Rangers. Dorofeyev signed a seven-year contract with an $11 million cap hit. That’s the ballpark Marchenko’s camp is aiming for.
The Blue Jackets finished the season with 92 points but missed the playoffs. That’s frustrating enough on its own. But now their two biggest stars are reportedly looking to leave. Zach Werenski, the defenseman who just won the Norris Trophy as the league’s top blueliner, is also not signing an extension. Multiple teams are circling around him. The list of interested clubs is reportedly up to ten, and that number could keep growing.
Marchenko is a different kind of asset. He’s a big, skilled right winger with enough scoring touch to drive a line. He’s also only 25 years old, which means a team signing him now could get his prime years. That’s why teams like the Montreal Canadiens have also kicked the tires on a potential deal.
But here’s the thing — Columbus is not in a position where they have to give these guys away. Both players are still under contract control. Marchenko has one year left on his current deal before he’s a restricted free agent. So if a team wants him, they’re going to have to pay. And not just in dollars. A trade for Marchenko would likely cost a first-round pick and a top prospect, minimum.
The timing makes this interesting too. NHL free agency is about to open up, and the rumor mill is already running hot. If the Blue Jackets are smart, they’ll move quickly on either Werenski or Marchenko before the market gets cluttered with other names. Waiting too long could hurt the return.
Blue Jackets fans have every right to be frustrated. The team fought hard last season and showed flashes of being competitive. But losing two All-Star caliber players in one summer would be a tough pill to swallow. And right now, that’s exactly what’s on the table.
Whether Marchenko ends up in Utah or somewhere else, the asking price is going to be high. And the clock is ticking.
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