![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Marchenko-203x300.jpg\")
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Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko (NHL Images).<\/p>\n
According to Cowan, that offer was prospect winger Alexander Zharovsky<\/a>, another prospect, and a first-round pick. He believes the Canadiens are well-positioned with many draft picks and young prospects other teams are interested in, which is why general manager Kent Hughes can afford to wait for the right opportunity to present itself.<\/p>\n Cowan wouldn\u2019t be surprised if the Canadiens make a significant move this summer. He noted that last year\u2019s trade for Noah Dobson<\/a> came out of nowhere.<\/p>\n THE STARR & D\u2019AMICO SHOW:<\/a> Marco D\u2019Amico recently addressed speculation suggesting the Canadiens could look at Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson<\/a> if they\u2019re unable to land Marchenko.<\/p>\n \u201cI would be surprised if the Canadiens tried another reclamation project like that,\u201d D\u2019Amico said. He expects that Johnson could bounce back this season, but doesn\u2019t see it as being to the point where he fills a legitimate need for the Canadiens.<\/p>\n SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: The buzz suggesting the Canadiens could acquire Marchenko has cooled since it flared up last weekend. That\u2019s probably because Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell refuted a report out of Russia claiming he was working on trading the 26-year-old winger. Marchenkov\u2019s agent, Dan Milstein, took to social media to dismiss the speculation.<\/p>\n As for Johnson, some Habs fans suggest he\u2019d fill the Canadiens\u2019 second-line center role. However, his performance thus far in his NHL career offers up little evidence that he can confidently handle that position on a reliable basis. Johnson has been used primarily as a winger with the Blue Jackets.<\/p>\n LATEST ON THE RED WINGS MANAGEMENT SITUATION<\/p>\n THE ATHLETIC<\/a>: Max Bultman believes the reason why the Detroit Red Wings<\/a> haven\u2019t yet found a replacement for Steve Yzerman as general manager is that it\u2019s still early in the process.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been over two weeks since the Wings announced their management change, with Yzerman maintaining the day-to-day duties until his replacement is found.<\/p>\n Bultman noted that no other NHL clubs are seeking new management, meaning the Red Wings aren\u2019t under pressure to make a quick change. Instead, they\u2019ll continue to be patient in their search for the right candidate.<\/p>\n Whoever gets the role faces some challenging long-term decisions. They must address center Dylan Larkin\u2019s trade request, sign restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson<\/a> to a new contract, and negotiate an extension with winger Alex DeBrincat<\/a>, who is UFA-eligible next July.<\/p>\n SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: The Wings have indicated they\u2019ll consider all options, including promoting from within their ranks. So far, there\u2019s no indication who they may have reached out to from other clubs or if they\u2019re speaking with former NHL general managers.<\/p>\n ISLANDERS COULD SOON ANNOUNCE THEIR NEW ASSISTANT GM<\/p>\n THE HOCKEY NEWS\u2019 Stefen Rosner reported Friday<\/a> that Evan Gold is expected to join the New York Islanders<\/a> as an assistant general manager.<\/p>\n