Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Kirill Marchenko is tied to a three-team trade idea that would force Martin St-Louis and the Canadiens into a major blue-line decision.
Marco Normandin of HABSolumentFan recently reported that something appears to be developing between Montreal and the Columbus Blue Jackets, with one major obstacle holding up the process.
Columbus reportedly wants an established NHL player in any return involving Marchenko. A package built mainly around prospects and draft picks wouldn’t satisfy that demand.
That creates a difficult assignment for Kent Hughes. Montreal has young assets and valuable picks to offer, but Hughes may need another club to convert those pieces into immediate NHL help for Columbus.
One observer has now put a specific three-team proposal on the table, giving Canadiens fans a clearer picture of what that type of transaction could require.
Under the hypothetical framework, Montreal would acquire Marchenko, while Columbus would receive Jake Neighbours, Alexander Zharovsky, Montreal’s 2028 first-round pick and St. Louis’ 2028 third-round pick.The Blues would acquire Kaiden Guhle, making the Canadiens defenseman the piece that connects all three sides and turns Montreal’s future assets into the established player Columbus wants.
Kaiden Guhle becomes the price of solving the deal
This isn’t a reported offer or an active trade framework. It’s a fan-created proposal designed to illustrate how complicated the Marchenko file could become.
And the Montreal side deserves the most scrutiny. Moving Guhle would remove a proven young defenseman from a blue line the Canadiens have spent years rebuilding.
Marchenko would give Martin St-Louis another dangerous option for his top six, but the Canadiens would be creating a major hole on defense to strengthen their forward group.
The proposal also shows why St. Louis would matter. The Blues would be asked to send Neighbours to Columbus while accepting Guhle from Montreal, effectively serving as the bridge between two teams with different needs.
For Hughes, finding that bridge may be harder than agreeing on Marchenko’s value. The third team must want Montreal’s assets, own a player Columbus covets and be willing to reshape its roster.
“Something is clearly brewing between the Canadiens and the Blue Jackets.”
That’s a narrow path, and it explains why a straightforward Canadiens-Blue Jackets trade may not work. Marchenko could fit Montreal’s needs, but this proposal shows the cost may reach far beyond prospects and picks.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
POLL
4 HOURS AGO|342 ANSWERS
Three-team trade proposal sends Kirill Marchenko to Montreal at a major cost
Would you be willing to give up Zharovsky, Kaiden Guhle, and a first-round pick to acquire Kirill Marchenko?