Canadiens miss on Marchenko, eye trade options for second-line centre

Explainer

The Montreal Canadiens missed out on top trade target Kirill Marchenko just before the 2026-27 season began, with the forward going to the Toronto Maple Leafs instead.

David Pagnotta said on DFO Insider that the Canadiens offered a significant package for Marchenko.

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"Toronto wasn't the only team. There were the Montreal Canadiens, very heavy. The Canadiens included a deal or included a package, we heard all kinds of names. Kaiden Guhle's name was involved, Oliver Kapanen's name was involved. [Alexander] Zharovsky, who was almost traded for Knies, was in the mix. Their first round pick. [David] Reinbacher. There were others that the Canadiens were willing to move."

Pagnotta added that if Columbus wanted a futures package, the Canadiens' offer would have paid off in five years.

Elliotte Friedman reported that Montreal pursued Marchenko from the moment it became clear the Columbus Blue Jackets would not extend him, and by most accounts, the player wanted to join the Canadiens.

Pierre LeBrun added that Marchenko specifically wanted to play in Montreal alongside Ivan Demidov, with whom he shares an agent.

Why did the trade with Columbus fall through?

Friedman pointed to two reasons Toronto won the sweepstakes.

First, Matthew Knies was the best asset available on the market, young, talented and cost-controlled in a way no other team could match.

Second, Toronto leveraged its cap and financial flexibility, agreeing to absorb two contracts Columbus wanted off its books in Elvis Merzlikins and Miles Wood.

According to Friedman, the Canadiens, without a Knies-caliber player to offer, tried to get creative in the final days by exploring ways to involve a third team.

Eric Francis reports that the Calgary Flames were in talks with the Canadiens, but it is unclear if they were the team Friedman was referring to.

Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said things never got close with any other team but the Maple Leafs.

The package Montreal reportedly offered included solid players but also futures Columbus did not value, and nothing came close to matching Knies.

Which players are the Canadiens now targeting?

The Canadiens' biggest roster need remains at centre on the second line.

One potential target is Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets.

It has already been reported that the Canadiens could have interest in Scheifele after missing out on Dylan Larkin.

Scheifele is coming off a career season with over 100 points, but he is an older player and it remains to be seen how long he can keep that production up.

His availability will depend on how the first part of Winnipeg's season goes, amid a trade request from goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who is currently suspended by the team for failing to report to training camp.

Another option is Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks.

Pettersson has seen his production drop from 102 points in 2022-23 to only 96 points combined over the past two seasons, and his contract has five years left after this season with an AAV of $11.6 million.

A player like Ryan O'Reilly could be a perfect answer as a bridge, as he is in the final year of his contract, and while he is 35, he is still playing at a high level after a 74-point season last year.

O'Reilly would also be a great addition to the locker room, as he already has won a Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2019.

Another player the Canadiens could target as a rental would be Shane Wright, who is in the final year of his contract and would be a restricted free agent after this season.

In 2024-25, Wright finished with 44 points but saw that production almost cut in half, down to 27 last season.

Which Canadiens players are in trade rumours?

Two Montreal Canadiens are continuing to create chatter in the rumor mill as potential trade candidates.

Kirby Dach and Samuel Montembeault were both featured on Lyle Richardson's latest NHL trade board for Bleacher Report.

Dach was given the No. 4 spot on Richardson's trade board.

The big forward is a pending unrestricted free agent after signing a one-year contract with Montreal during the off-season.

Dach recorded an assist in his first game of the 2026-27 season for Montreal, after he posted eight goals and 15 points in 37 games during the 2025-26 campaign.

Montembeault was ranked at No. 6 on Richardson's trade board.

Not only is Montembeault a pending unrestricted free agent like Dach, but the Canadiens also have exciting young goalie Jacob Fowler waiting in the wings.

In 25 games last season for Montreal, Montembeault had a 10-8-4 record, a 3.43 goals-against average, and an .872 save percentage.

The Canadiens do not need to be in any rush to make a trade, but as the season goes along, they will be watching potential targets closely.

General manager Kent Hughes ideally would like to finally solve the problem of not having a legitimate second-line centreman before making a move to bring in another winger.

Once we get closer to American Thanksgiving in late-November, we should get a better idea on who could become available in the lead up to the trade deadline on Monday, March 1.

Garbutt Disposal reported in September that the Maple Leafs acquired Marchenko in a six-player deal with Columbus.

With files from Yahoo Sports