Breaking: Kirill Marchenko agrees to multi-year extension – NHL trade rumors

A little over a week ago, Columbus Blue Jackets restricted free agent Kirill Marchenko complained that he had not yet received a “decent” contract offer and that he had not even spoken to new GM Don Waddell. Things moved quickly, however, as the two sides reached an agreement on a three-year contract extension on Sunday morning.

MORE MARCH AWESOME💥

We have given RW Kirill Marchenko a 3-year contract until 2026-2027 @NHL season!

📝 https://t.co/41Ljd2zFZP@RuoffMortgage | #CBJ photo.twitter.com/CuErZq87aG

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) July 28, 2024

The deal is worth $11.55 million, with a cap hit of $3.85 million, and allows them to avoid an arbitration hearing that had been scheduled for Wednesday. Marchenko will be an RFA upon expiration, following the 2026-27 season.

The 24-year-old Russian has gotten his NHL career off to a roaring start, scoring 21 goals in 59 games in his debut season in 2022-23. He then found the net 23 times and added 19 assists for 42 points in 79 games this past year.

“Kirill Marchenko has been a key player for the Blue Jackets during his first two NHL seasons, and reaching an agreement to keep him in Columbus was important to us,” Waddell said. “He has size, skill and the ability to score goals and will continue to be a big part of our core group.”

But all’s well that ends well, and the The Blue Jackets have an excellent record, as they have never had a player refereed.