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Promising Winger Inks Extension With Columbus Blue Jackets

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Forward Kirill Marchenko has signed a three-year contract extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The deal has a $3.85 million cap hit per season for a total of $11.55 million.

Blue Jackets Extend Marchenko

“Kirill Marchenko has been an important player for the Blue Jackets during his first two NHL seasons and reaching an agreement to keep him in Columbus was important to us,” said the team general manager Don Waddell. “He has size, skill, and the ability to score goals and will continue to be a big part of our core group moving forward.”

Marchenko was drafted by the Blue Jackets in the second round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year old winger has scored 44 goals and added 23 assists since making his NHL debut in the 2022-23 season. Furthermore, Marchenko has been productive on the power play, having scored 16 goals on the man advantage.

“Marchy Madness” in Ohio

The Blue Jackets have struggled the last few seasons. They have dealt with injuries and even lost a player to the player assistance program. However, Marchenko has been a rose among the thorns.

Last season, Marchenko set career highs and led the team in goals and ranked second in shots on goal. Furthermore, he is the second Blue Jacket, following Pierre-Luc Dubois, to record back-to-back 20-goal seasons to begin his NHL career. Marchenko also tied Rick Nash for the most goals scored in his first 100 career games.

Slow Offseason Has Sped up for the Blue Jackets

Despite a slow start to the offseason, the Blue Jackets have been making multiple moves over the last few weeks. In addition to the Marchenko extension, the team also signed defenceman Jack Johnson. They have named a new head coach in Dean Evason. However, perhaps the biggest news out of Columbus has been Patrik Laine being cleared to leave the player assistance program. Laine had requested a trade, but trade talks were put on hold due to Laine still being in the program. Now that he has been cleared, talks can resume.

Things are starting to take shape for the Blue Jackets. With one of their best players locked up, it will be interesting to see what is next.

Main photo credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

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