It appears Kirill Marchenko is staying put.
Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell said that the 25-year-old forward is sticking around in Columbus.
"I've had discussions with his agent, which we won't discuss right now, but Marchenko is going to be a Blue Jacket when the season starts," Waddell said at his free agency press conference on Thursday.
Marchenko's contract runs through the end of the 2026-27 season, and he is expected to be one of the top restricted free agents next summer. He put up 27 goals and 40 assists this past season, coming off an even stronger 74-point 2024-25 campaign (31g, 43a).
Waddell also spoke to the Zach Werenski situation after the defenceman announced his decision to stay in Columbus following trade speculation.
"We didn’t want to have Zach go anywhere," said Waddell. "he made it very clear to me, very directly and very passionately, that he wanted to be a Blue Jacket."
Werenski is under contract through the 2027-28 season.
