The Vegas Golden Knights have been linked to countless superstars, such as Dylan Larkin and Connor Hellebuyck. General manager Kelly McCrimmon has his finger on the pulse of the NHL universe and is looking to make upgrades. However, one prominent Columbus Blue Jacket is on his radar.
No, it isn't Adam Fantilli or Zach Werenski. Instead, it's Kirill Marchenko.
Elliotte Friedman linked the Golden Knights to the winger known as Kirill Marchenko on his 32 Thoughts podcast. The Golden Knights were linked, along with the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Seattle Kraken, and Winnipeg Jets (might have, at least). The Bruins made an offer at one point, although nothing surfaced.
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts this Morning on Kirill Marchenko:
— Eamonn McLean (@EamonnMcLean44) September 25, 2026
"I heard Boston made an offer at one point." #NHLBruins
Also listed Winnipeg, Montreal, NYI, Toronto, Vegas, and Seattle as other teams that have or might have expressed interest in Marchenko.
There's good reason for the Russian winger being such a prominent trade target. Last season, he scored 27 goals and 40 assists, making him one of the most productive Blue Jackets around. He has 102 goals and 106 assists in his four-year career, with 24 goals and 39 assists coming on the power play.
The Russian winger has a cap hit of $3.85 million, making this a no-brainer for McCrimmon to pursue. He's in the final year of his contract and will be a restricted free agent next season. He stands at 6'3", weighs 201 lbs., and is 26 years old. That makes him an ideal trade candidate for numerous reasons.
The Golden Knights "might have" been interested in Marchenko at some point. But there are plenty of reasons why they "should" be interested in bringing the Russian goal-scorer along. What makes him such a lucrative trade candidate for Kelly McCrimmon to pursue?
Why Kelly McCrimmon has nothing to lose in getting Kirill Marchenko to the Vegas Golden Knights
Again, the key word here is "might have." It might've happened or it might not have happened. It's like I "might've been" on a date with Sydney Sweeney. Still, the point is that the Golden Knights are once again linked to yet another star. But this star could actually be useful for Vegas.
Looking at the lineup structure, do you actually think that Vegas could use another center like Dylan Larkin? Yes, he's good. But when you step back and see the lineup structure, you'll realize the Golden Knights already have plenty of prominent centers.
You might need Connor Hellebuyck, which makes sense for the Stanley Cup run. You're getting a Hart Memorial Trophy winner in net and you have a stable defensive structure in front of him. But Marchenko is a first-line caliber player who adds more depth on the wing.
You're looking at an excellent shot, terrific offensive upside, and terrific speed. Marchenko can play both wing positions, adding versatility to the Golden Knights' lineup. Of course, he must step up against elite competition. But they said the same thing about Mitch Marner and look what happened during the playoffs last season.
Regardless, it's time for Kelly McCrimmon to turn that "might have" into a "should." Marchenko will be a better long-term option on the upside and youth front, keeping the contention window alive. After all, it's all about keeping the hate flowing in the league's most hated team.
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