Kirill Marchenko Trade Rumors - Sabres Emerge As Stealth Contender. Reports

Sabres Linked to Blue Jackets' Kirill Marchenko as Trade Talk Intensifies

Buffalo has emerged as a "stealth suitor" for Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko, according to a recent report, as speculation grows that the 26-year-old forward could be traded in the near future. The Canadiens and Utah Mammoth were recently named as frontrunners among three teams in the mix, and the Buffalo Sabres have also surfaced as a stealth suitor given GM Jarmo Kekalainen originally drafted Marchenko in Columbus.

Trade Nearing Completion, Sources Say

According to RG.org's Daria Tuboltseva, Kirill Marchenko is expected to be traded by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the near future, according to a source close to the Russian forward, with the Blue Jackets and another team finalizing the terms of a trade, and Marchenko's camp aware the talks are ongoing. A source close to the player told the outlet, "Kirill is essentially between two teams right now. The parties are now negotiating the terms of the trade."

However, the situation remains murky. Aaron Portzline of The Athletic said he was told that the current rumors of the trade being imminent were not factual, though things could still change with a long summer to go. Columbus GM Don Waddell has publicly maintained that Marchenko will remain with the team, previously stating he expected the winger to be a Blue Jacket once the season starts, according to the Columbus Dispatch's Brian Hedger.

Kekalainen's Columbus Ties

Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen was leading the Columbus Blue Jackets front office when the franchise selected Kirill Marchenko with the No. 49 overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. That history has fueled speculation that Buffalo could pursue a reunion as Kekalainen looks to bolster the roster following the offseason departure of forward Alex Tuch.

Marchenko's Production

Marchenko was one of Columbus's most productive forwards in 2025-26, posting 67 points on 27 goals and 40 assists with a plus-7 rating across 76 games, leading the Blue Jackets in goals for a third consecutive season. He is currently entering the final year of a three-year contract carrying a $3.85 million average annual value, with the deal running through 2026-27, after which Marchenko is set to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

Montreal Connection

The Canadiens have been the club most persistently tied to Marchenko throughout the process. The Montreal Canadiens are among the clubs that have pursued Marchenko, having made a run at the winger earlier in the offseason, and they could factor into the current talks. Montreal eliminated Buffalo from the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs in the second round, adding a layer of intrigue to any potential Sabres pursuit of the winger.

Roster Context

Buffalo enters the 2026-27 season with a forward group that includes Tage Thompson, Jason Zucker, Josh Norris, Peyton Krebs and Jack Quinn, alongside a defense corps led by Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. The Sabres finished last season on a strong note, closing out with wins in four of their final five games before a 3-4 loss to Dallas. No trade involving Marchenko and the Sabres has been confirmed by either organization as of this report.