David Pastrnak sparks monster Kirill Marchenko trade buzz with latest move

The rumor mill is far from done spinning in Boston after the offseason, and a small social media gesture has thrown gasoline on the fire.

According to the NHL Follow Tracker account on X, Bruins star David Pastrnak recently followed Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko on Instagram. On its own, it is a meaningless click. In the context of active trade talks between the two clubs, it has sent fans into a frenzy.

The timing is hard to ignore. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on the latest episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast that Boston is among several teams circling Marchenko, and that the Bruins have already submitted an offer at some point.

"I heard Boston made an offer at one point," Friedman said, while also listing Montreal, the Islanders, Toronto, Winnipeg, Seattle, and potentially Vegas as interested parties.

Marchenko has developed into one of the league's most dynamic wingers. He has topped the 20-goal mark in each of his first four NHL seasons and posted 74 points during the 2024-25 campaign. Standing 6-foot-3 with legitimate 30-plus goal upside, he fits the profile of a top-six weapon who is just entering his prime.

The complication is that Marchenko has reportedly shown little desire to stay in Columbus beyond his current contract. He is set to become a restricted free agent next summer, giving the Blue Jackets incentive to move him now for a significant return.

Friedman noted, however, that Columbus is not necessarily looking for futures. "I don't think Columbus is really that interested in futures," he said, adding that the Blue Jackets must decide whether to keep Marchenko and start the season with him or move on if the player does not want to be there.

For Boston, the cost would be steep. The Bruins still hold their own first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, along with a potentially unprotected 2028 first-rounder from Toronto. Young prospects like Will Zellers and Cooper Simpson could also be in play, while names like Mason Lohrei, Matt Poitras, and even center Pavel Zacha have been floated as possible trade chips.

Whether Pastrnak's Instagram follow is a sign that he already knows something, or simply a coincidence, remains entirely unconfirmed. Fans on social media were quick to read between the lines, with reactions ranging from stunned excitement to knowing skepticism.

For the meantime, all eyes remain on Columbus and the handful of suitors reportedly jockeying for position. If a deal does materialize, it could reshape the Bruins' forward group for years to come.