Trade Rumors Swirl Around Canadiens and Red Wings
The Montreal Canadiens have been linked to a potential trade for Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko, with reports suggesting they could package prospect winger Alexander Zharovsky, another prospect and a first‑round pick to acquire him. The interest also extended to Kent Johnson, but The Athletic’s Marco D’Amico has expressed doubt that the Canadiens would pursue the center, citing his inconsistency and primary role as a winger.
Stu Cowan of The Montreal Gazette notes that Montreal’s abundant draft capital and young talent give the club the luxury of waiting for the right opportunity, even as the Blue Jackets’ management and the player’s agent, Dan Milstein, have publicly dismissed the speculation.
Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell has flatly denied any intention to move Marchenko, and his agent’s online rebuttal has further cooled the trade chatter, leaving the Canadiens to reassess their options.
In Detroit, the Red Wings are still searching for a successor to outgoing general manager Steve Yzerman. With no other NHL franchise reportedly hiring a new GM, the club faces no immediate pressure to fill the vacancy, though the next executive will have to address Dylan Larkin’s trade request and negotiate extensions for Simon Edvinsson and Alex DeBrincat.
The New York Islanders are poised to name Boston Bruins staffer Evan Gold as their new assistant general manager, a move that could be announced within days now that Gold’s contract expires on August 1. Stefen Rosner has reported that the hiring will likely be made official shortly.
Overall, the rumor mill in the NHL reflects a busy offseason, with teams weighing prospects, draft assets and contract situations as they plot their next moves.