Multiple branches of the Don Waddell era were extended overnight with two trades before the holiday freeze. The Montreal Canadiens extended the Patrik Laine trade tree and the Seattle Kraken helped extend the prior trades of Jack Roslovic and David Jiricek.
Laine was moved with a 2026 2nd round draft pick for defenseman Jordan Harris. The branch on the Columbus side ended this summer as Harris and Columbus did not renew restricted rights, and he joined Sean Kuraly in Boston. The 26 2nd rounder was moved last night for a returning Phillip Danault to the Habs after requesting a trade out of Los Angeles last week. To clear a bad contract, Montreal has two forwards. The Jackets have cap space and nothing on the roster with one less draft pick.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Seattle Kraken completed a trade that involved winger Mason Marchment joining the Jackets in exchange for a 2026 4th round draft selection and a 2027 2nd round draft selection.
The 4th round pick was previously acquired in the Jack Roslovic move at the trade deadline a few seasons ago.
The 2nd round pick in next year’s draft was previously acquired in the monster Jiricek move that had Pytor Andreyanov selected 20th overall on the 2025 draft and Colorado’s third round pick in 2026. This move also extend the original Ryan Johansen for Seth Jones blockbuster completed by Kekalainen as Jiricek was flipped with Sillinger, Adam Boqvist, and Jake Bean for Jones and Nolan Allan.
Marchment is a six foot five tall power forward from Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada who was originally undrafted, but broke into the league with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and won the Calder Cup with the 2017-18 Marlies.
Mason Marchment was first traded to the Florida Panthers for Denis Malgin. Marchie signed as a free agent with the Dallas Stars in 2022 to a big ticket 4 year, $18M contract. Mush was flipped to Dallas on 2025 Dradt Day to the Kraken for a 2025 4th round selection and a 2026 3rd round pick.
In 13 games with Seattle this season, the pending unrestricted free agent has 13 points in 29 games. Overall, the third largest offensive cap hit on Columbus has 202 points in 301 career games.
Columbus is expected to pay out $1.5M of his remaining contract, while sitting at a $4.5M cap hit.
Marchment also re-unites with Brendan Smith on the Jackets roster as they were both with Dallas last season. He also unites with Lalonde and Gaunce as they all have the same agent, Paul Capizzano from Quartexx Management.
He is set to debut tonight as Gaunce has been moved to the non—roster list due to family reasons. Marchment will wear jersey number 17 for Columbus as his usual 27 is worn by Zach Aston-Reese. Danforth last wore #17 last season before signing with Buffalo, and Brandon Dubinsky wore #17 the longest and best by performance with the franchise.
The Kraken recover the 4th round pick lost and upgrade the 3rd round pick originally moved to acquire Marchment to a second round pick.
Great trade for the playoff race in Columbus and asset management by the rebuilding Seattle franchise.
Thoughts?
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