After the recent controversy of Russian reports of a possible trade involving winger Kirill Marchenko moving on from the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Montreal Canadiens being a heavy favorite, I want to hear the comment section on your trade thoughts. It’s silly summer content season, and with him not expecting to sign a new contract here for next season, where do you see him joining as his next new club?
Zak’s Mock Three Way Trade
To Montreal
F Kirill Marchenko (no retention)
To Pittsburgh
G Elvis Merzlikins (50% salary retention)
To Columbus
G Samuel Montembault
F Oliver Kapanen
F Rutger McGroarty
F Michael Hage
F Alexander Zharovsky
Benefits of trade for all sides
Montreal — bonafide elite scoring Russian winger that can build chemistry with Ivan Demidov for years forward in their quest for the Stanley Cup. An elite top 6 of Suzuki, Caufield, Slafkovsky, Demidov, Danault, and Marchenko can keep them fighting for years.
Slafkovsky—Suzuki—Caufield
Demidov—Danault—Marchenko
Texier—Dach—Anderson
Bolduc—Kapanen—Evans
Pittsburgh — the Latvian duo of Merzlikins and Silovs can secure the development of Murashov as he becomes the next elite young Russian goaltender. Like Skinner of this past season, Merzlikins could be another interim stopgap in the Penguins’ crease while temporarily reuniting with Egor Chinakov.
Silovs/Merzlikins/Murashov
Columbus — with no desire for a first round draft pick as the club continues to build, this gives the Blue Jackets almost everything they could want. The top young forwards of Hage and depressed McGroarty from Michigan may bolster the morale of Johnson, Fantilli, and Werenski in the room. The young Russian will also boost the offensive depth of the organization. Montembault replaces Merzlikins this season in hopes that he can be a star Canadian goaltender again amidst an overpayment. Kapanen provides a young active roster player for the Jackets now.
Top Line - Nichushkin—Fantilli—Johnson
Let the new guy shine and unite the Michigan gentlemen. Size, speed, and skill.
Line 2 — Voronkov—Monahan—Garland
Balance the size of a full season of Garland with two guys that need to bounce back.
Line 3 — Sillinger—Coyle—Olivier
This line cooked last season. Let’s keep it up.
Line 4 — Lomberg—Kapanen—Wood
The new guys and the vet.
Lundestrom is out to start the season and can rotate through when injury occurs.
Same defense 7 and trio of Greaves, Montembault, and Copley allows for Canadian chemistry and a journeyman to mesh.
Pipeline is restocked and maybe strongest it has been under Waddell with Lindstrom, McGroarty, Hage, and Zharvosky.