Kirill Marchenko has had his name in the rumor mill for the majority of the offseason. There has been speculation if he wants to be in Columbus long-term. He’s got a year left on his contract at a valuable $3.85 million cap hit. Columbus Blue Jackets GM has said basically anyone is available for the right price. What would make sense for the Blue Jackets?
Columbus Blue Jackets GM on what it would take to trade Kirill Marchenko
The Sick Podcast – The Eye Test: Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell was asked what it would take for them to trade forward Kirill Marchenko.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
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Jimmy Murphy: “Donnie, speaking of Montreal Canadiens, they’ve been a team that’s been linked to one of your players, Kirill Marchenko, there. You’ve been open to saying, “Look, we obviously want him here for the long-term future, but if there is a deal on the table that makes sense for the team, we’d be willing to do it if it made sense for both sides.” To you, what makes sense for the Columbus Blue Jackets as a trade return for Kirill Marchenko?”
Waddell: “Well, it’s like I’ve said, every player on my roster, for the most part, is tradable. You know, tradable if you get the right deal. You know, in Kirill’s case, you know, he’s our leading goal scorer. Puts up a lot of points and goals, and you know, and he’s got a great cap hit. I think it’s $3.850 (million) for one more year.
So you know, we can’t just take him out of our lineup and not replace that. So, you know, I’ve said all along we need we need roster players or particular one player. You know, I’ve been on this side of the trade too many times where, you know, I’ve traded Danny Heatley and Marian Hossa. I traded them for each other.
But, and, problem with Hossa and Kovalchuk, you know, when you’re trading the best player in a deal, it’s hard to make a good deal because you always give up the best player. You get a lot of pieces, a lot of assets, but you still don’t get the best piece.
And so that’s that’s our concern. You know, we got, you know, regardless of what the agent, Kirill want, he’s an important part of our team right now, and he’s got a great cap hit. I’m not replacing his talent and his goals at $3.8 million. That’s for sure.
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You know, I’m listening, and that’s all I can do as a general manager. I can’t just close it off. I got to say,0′ you know, tell me what you’re thinking.’ If something makes sense and it helps Columbus Blue Jackets, we’ll take a serious look at it.”
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