Kirill Marchenko wants out of Columbus, and the Blue Jackets just got handed their first real crisis of the season before it even starts.
Nick Kypreos reported Thursday on Sportsnet that the forward desperately wants out. Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal seem poised to try to make something work with Columbus, per the same report.
Desperately is a heavy word to drop in late September. Agents usually save that kind of language for July, when nobody has to walk back into a locker room afterward.
And then Marchenko went out last night and scored shorthanded in a 4-0 preseason win over the Penguins.
He logged 17:14 and put three shots on goal. Among Blue Jackets forwards, only Kent Johnson saw more ice.
So what exactly is Don Waddell supposed to do with a guy who scores on the penalty kill the same day word gets out that he wants to leave?
It's a little like having a tenant who already gave notice. The rent still shows up on time, but nobody's repainting the apartment.
Nick Kypreos: Re Kirill Marchenko future: Desperately wants out of Columbus; Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal seem poised to try and make something work with Columbus - Sportsnet (9/24)
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Blue Jackets star wants out with three teams ready to call
The Blue Jackets don't look like sellers. They pay Adam Fantilli $13,750,000, the fifth-highest cap hit in the league.
Zachary Werenski, carrying a $9,583,333 cap number, scored the winner against Pittsburgh. Teams that spend like that want to win right now.
Waddell shouldn't blink. Moving Marchenko in September for anything less than a legitimate top-six forward would be a bad trade, and fans in Columbus would remember it for years.
Rick Bowness, hired in January, has the messier job. He has to fill out a lineup card for the October 1 opener against the Sabres with a forward who reportedly wants a new address.
Two of the three suitors meet Tuesday, when Jim Hiller's Maple Leafs host the Canadiens. Don't expect either bench boss to get through that morning without a Marchenko question.
The Maple Leafs already carry Auston Matthews at $13,250,000 and William Nylander at $11,500,000. Any deal there starts with making the money line up.
The Oilers won 2-1 in Vancouver last night, their third straight preseason win under Mike Babcock.
Stan Bowman's cap sheet already holds Leon Draisaitl at $14,000,000 and Connor McDavid at $12,500,000. Fitting Marchenko in beside that pair would take some creative accounting.
The Canadiens are the wild card, sitting 3-0-0 this preseason under Martin St-Louis.
If Kent Hughes lands him, his club sees the Blue Jackets three times in December alone. That's a lot of reunions for one month.
The Blue Jackets visit Detroit on Saturday. If he dresses, every shift doubles as a scouting report for Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal.
How long does that audition last? It depends on how badly one of those teams wants him, and how much Waddell dares to ask.
Should Don Waddell grant Kirill Marchenko his wish and trade him before the October 1 opener?
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