Gigantic offer has been submitted for Kirill Marchenko ahead of Draft!

With the NHL Draft just hours away, the Montreal Canadiens have publicly projected calm. Vice president Jeff Gorton has told media the club expects to simply pick at 28th overall tomorrow. But behind the scenes, a far more aggressive picture is emerging.

According to insider Frank Seravalli, the Canadiens have submitted what he describes as a "massive" offer to the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Kirill Marchenko. Seravalli reportedly emphasized the sheer scale of the proposed package, describing it as borderline insane given the assets Montreal put on the table.

The 25-year-old Russian winger checks virtually every box on Montreal's wish list. Standing 6-foot-3 and 201 pounds, Marchenko is a physically imposing right winger who has steadily developed into one of the league's most productive young forwards.

Originally a second-round pick in 2018, Marchenko broke out during the 2024-2025 campaign with 31 goals and 74 points across 79 games. He followed that up with another strong season in 2025-2026, posting 27 goals and 67 points while maintaining a plus-7 rating on a rebuilding Columbus roster. Over 292 career NHL games, he has already accumulated 102 goals and 208 points.

Pulling off a deal of this magnitude would not come cheap. Speculation suggests the offer from general manager Kent Hughes likely involves draft picks, at least one established roster player, and possibly high-end prospects from Montreal's system.

However, completing a trade is far from certain. According to sources close to the situation, Marchenko is content in Columbus and the potential move is not being driven by the player, even with contract negotiations on the horizon. Columbus, led by GM Don Waddell, appears to be testing the market to see if any team is willing to overpay rather than actively shopping the forward.

The consensus among league observers is that it would take a serious premium to convince the Blue Jackets to part with a player of Marchenko's caliber and age profile. Montreal is reportedly determined to be that team.

The fit is tantalizing for Canadiens fans. Marchenko's combination of speed, physicality, and scoring touch would slot perfectly into Montreal's top six. The possibility of pairing him alongside Ivan Demidov, with whom Marchenko reportedly already shares an off-ice friendship, only adds to the excitement.

For now, all eyes turn to the draft floor, where the next few hours could determine whether Montreal's bold gambit pays off or whether Columbus holds firm.