Speculation: Roster/Trade Discussion thread: Post FA/Summer edition

[GoAwayRempe]

Personally I wouldn’t trade Cuylle straight up for Marchenko.
Marchenko obviously piles up more points, esp assists, but played a couple of minutes more a game than Will. Cuylle is still developing and brings more to the game than scoring. Marchenko isnt getting PP1 here, 23 PP points last year. He’s kind of redundant IMO, and Gabe should be next in line for PP1. I’d rather have Cuylle than Marchenko. Sure I’d take him for Schneider +. Deal from a position of strength. Add one or two of our bottom six prospects. Maybe I over value Cuylle, but that’s me. I think he’s a guy you win with in the post season. I like Machenko, but not THAT much.

Marchenko has like 50 ES goals over the last 2 seasons.

It'd never happen but Cuylle for him straight up is a no brainer.

 

[duhmetreE]

We don’t have assets to pull off a trade like this yet.

We can’t trade any of our young talent because they will be integral for our success.

We have to get a Zary or Kent Johnson type ( ala Brass and Zibs ) and hope they can put it together with a change of scenery and fresh start.

 

[duhmetreE]

Marchenko has like 50 ES goals over the last 2 seasons.

It'd never happen but Cuylle for him straight up is a no brainer.

Marachenko put it together and started producing a top 6 level at age 24 season. Cuylle is entering age 24 season.

Cuylle is ahead of him if we’re comparing age production. I still think Cuylle has another level to take it to. I’m not trading him unless a top6 center is involved. Just my opinion

 

[McRanger92]

Portzline went after Werenski and Marchenko. They are thinking about leaving Columbus for a team which can win. They disappeared in the most important games last season. How about showing up and helping your team to qualify for the playofsf instead of looking for the exit door? Columbus was in a great spot last season and everyone of their key players struggled. Werenski had some illness.

This is the year for them. As long as Fantilli gets signed prior to camp, this is a very good team. I saw Portzline on The Athletic pod on YouTube. Voronkov is finally taking his career seriously. He is training or will train soon with Prentiss in Connecticut. They need him and Kent Johnson. Greaves could be the main goalie for Canada for the 2028 World Cup and the 2030 Olympics. He has the three year contract. These next few seasons could be a bonanza for him.

Sounds like the Rangers

 

[Kendo]

I can see a guy like McConnell-Barker make it as a depth center or a Veleno replacement. JVR would replace someone like Raddysh, Parsinnen

BMB still has a couple guys ahead of him, but that's a credit to the depth in our system. Our ~23rd ranked prospect still has a real shot to make a depth role in the NHL.

 

[duhmetreE]

I know it’s not sexy… but what about Morgan Frost? UFA next year which may lead to Calgary moving him. Decent in transition. Can play center or wing. Good vision and IQ. Fill in the middle 6.

 

[RangersFan1994]

I know it’s not sexy… but what about Morgan Frost? UFA next year which may lead to Calgary moving him. Decent in transition. Can play center or wing. Good vision and IQ. Fill in the middle 6.

Another tweeter. Rather have a power center that is a shoot first with a mean streak. Id rather sign Evander Kane for a year

 

[bhamill]

Marchenko has like 50 ES goals over the last 2 seasons.

It'd never happen but Cuylle for him straight up is a no brainer.

We are allowed to have different opinions.
Cuylle is two years younger and had 34 ES goals in the same period in about 15% less ATOI, at the ages where Marchenko had 28 ES goals and scored fewer points than Cuylle overall. Even the last two years, Marchenko scored 72 ES points and Cuylle scored 69… Cuylle also plays a better, heavier 200 foot game, still has developmental runway, and hits everything that moves. Marchenko disappears when the going gets tough. I’d rather have Cuylle. That’s me. I think Marchenko is wildly overrated.

 

[bhamill]

Marachenko put it together and started producing a top 6 level at age 24 season. Cuylle is entering age 24 season.

Cuylle is ahead of him if we’re comparing age production. I still think Cuylle has another level to take it to. I’m not trading him unless a top6 center is involved. Just my opinion

Agreed.

 

[GoAwayRempe]

We are allowed to have different opinions.
Cuylle is two years younger and had 34 ES goals in the same period in about 15% less ATOI, at the ages where Marchenko had 28 ES goals and scored fewer points than Cuylle overall. Even the last two years, Marchenko scored 72 ES points and Cuylle scored 69… Cuylle also plays a better, heavier 200 foot game, still has developmental runway, and hits everything that moves. Marchenko disappears when the going gets tough. I’d rather have Cuylle. That’s me. I think Marchenko is wildly overrated.

32 ES goals.

He plays a heavier game for sure, I wouldn't say that he plays a better 200 ft game though. He has like 8x the number of takeaways that Cuylle does and only 3 forwards had more takeaways this last season than Marchenko did (O'Reilly, Forsberg, Doan.)

I get the age thing, but its also a skill set thing. I think Cuylle has runway to get a bit better but he doesn't have that much room for growth ahead of him.

I generally think that Cuylle is underrated on HFNYR (as are most players, I've already seen it happening with Dorofeyev and he hasn't even played a game yet) but this would be overrating him IMO.

 

[Sam Rosen]

Yeah any Marchenko deal would either involve a swap for a very similar outlook player like Laf/Cuylle or giving up more futures. His next contract is going to be painful as well. No fit there.

 

[HolyHagelin]

Personally I wouldn’t trade Cuylle straight up for Marchenko.
Marchenko obviously piles up more points, esp assists, but played a couple of minutes more a game than Will. Cuylle is still developing and brings more to the game than scoring. Marchenko isnt getting PP1 here, 23 PP points last year. He’s kind of redundant IMO, and Gabe should be next in line for PP1. I’d rather have Cuylle than Marchenko. Sure I’d take him for Schneider +. Deal from a position of strength. Add one or two of our bottom six prospects. Maybe I over value Cuylle, but that’s me. I think he’s a guy you win with in the post season. I like Machenko, but not THAT much.

This, x100. Take out Marchenko’s PP time, which would happen here, and what does his production look like?

Like Cuylle.

 

[HolyHagelin]

Playoff type games*. Aaron portzline wrote an article where he criticized him for it

Also, HFCBJ has complaints along those lines.

Weekes: Post in thread 'Marchenko’s camp tells me that as of now he’s unlikely to re-sign with Blue Jackets (post 221)'

Jun 18, 2026

Certainly wouldn’t make sense to trade him from CBJ’s standpoint I feel.

Near the end of the season many CBJ fans felt like Marchenko played as horribly as Boone Jenner did, essentially hot-dogging it down the stretch. He played every night like he was waiting for the country club the next morning. They missed the playoffs, and his uninspired play was a big reason why.

If he is getting lumped in with Jenner in the eyes of management and Coach Bowness (Bowness ripped Jenner for not caring about losing), he's very likely going to be moved.

It should net CBJ a huge return though...

• hotcabbagesoup

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[TGWL]

Another tweeter. Rather have a power center that is a shoot first with a mean streak. Id rather sign Evander Kane for a year

You are not suggesting Kane plays center, right? Those were 2 different points?

 

[TGWL]

This, x100. Take out Marchenko’s PP time, which would happen here, and what does his production look like?

Like Cuylle.

More like ZIbanejad and less like Cuyle.

1.95 points /60 5 on 5 for Marchenko last season to 1.35 w/ Cuylle.
1.89 for Zibanejad.

I actually think he would find himself with quite a bit of powerplay 1 time here. Either way, we really don't have the assets here to make this type of trade now that most of our 1st round picks are gone. I think Columbus knows if they're trading him they need something back that is comparable for a playoff push, or they need futures.

My biggest concern with Marchenko is
1. Is he coming into camp in shape?
2. How much fire/desire does he have to be better and win?

He's a very talented played but seems lazy at times.

 

[HolyHagelin]

More like ZIbanejad and less like Cuyle.

1.95 points /60 5 on 5 for Marchenko last season to 1.35 w/ Cuylle.
1.89 for Zibanejad.

The gap gets bigger over 2 seasons. I actually think he would find himself with quite a bit of powerplay 1 time here. Either way, we really don't have the assets here to make this type of trade now that most of our 1st round picks are gone. I think Columbus knows if they're trading him they need something back that is comparable for a playoff push, or they need futures.

Fair. Cuylle will be the age next year that Kirill broke out at though, as someone else noted.

Anyway CBJ aren’t trading him so i guess it’s good i am haopy with cuylle.

 

[duhmetreE]

When a loser org is trying to change the culture, why are we looking to overpay for one of the players they deemed a culprit?

He’s going to take a lot of assets. Trade capital and cap.

It’s antithetical to what I believe Drury is trying to build.

A savvy move is a reclamation project. Minimize cost with a potential high reward.

 

[Good Intentions]

A few things:

1. This Marchenko talk is not rooted in reality. It’s not quite “video game dynasty mode” bad, but it’s not far off.

2. Lafreniere, unfortunately, it’s going anywhere. It’s my (strong) and (unpopular) opinion that we will live to (deeply) regret holding him. This was the window. Gut feeling it goes back downhill, for good.

3. As assets, I value Cuylle over Lafreniere, and I would do Cuylle + Schneider in a Marchenko deal. (I could see Cuylle in Columbus).

But, again, not happening.

 

[bobbop]

A few things:

1. This Marchenko talk is not rooted in reality. It’s not quite “video game dynasty mode” bad, but it’s not far off.

2. Lafreniere, unfortunately, it’s going anywhere. It’s my (strong) and (unpopular) opinion that we will live to (deeply) regret holding him. This was the window. Gut feeling it goes back downhill, for good.

3. As assets, I value Cuylle over Lafreniere, and I would do Cuylle + Schneider in a Marchenko deal. (I could see Cuylle in Columbus).

But, again, not happening.

Door #3 works for me

 

[bhamill]

32 ES goals.

He plays a heavier game for sure, I wouldn't say that he plays a better 200 ft game though. He has like 8x the number of takeaways that Cuylle does and only 3 forwards had more takeaways this last season than Marchenko did (O'Reilly, Forsberg, Doan.)

I get the age thing, but its also a skill set thing. I think Cuylle has runway to get a bit better but he doesn't have that much room for growth ahead of him.

I generally think that Cuylle is underrated on HFNYR (as are most players, I've already seen it happening with Dorofeyev and he hasn't even played a game yet) but this would be overrating him IMO.

And at the age Cuylle scored 32 ES goals, Marchenko scored 28… Cuylle has the skills. If he develops consistency alone, he’s good for 30ish goals a year. And consistency is a thing players often develop at his age.
Dorofeyev has scored 35 goals each of the last two years, excels in the playoffs and plays a 200 foot game. And is a year younger than Marchenko I believe. He will likely be on PP1. And he makes Marchenko redundant. He’s a lesser Dorofeyev IMO. If we hadn’t gotten Dorofeyev, I could see maybe “overpaying” for Marchenko. IF both Greentree and Beaudoin hit, it may make Cuylle expendable, or it may not… a lot remains to be seen. I respect your opinion, just have a different one.

 

[duhmetreE]

A few things:

1. This Marchenko talk is not rooted in reality. It’s not quite “video game dynasty mode” bad, but it’s not far off.

2. Lafreniere, unfortunately, it’s going anywhere. It’s my (strong) and (unpopular) opinion that we will live to (deeply) regret holding him. This was the window. Gut feeling it goes back downhill, for good.

3. As assets, I value Cuylle over Lafreniere, and I would do Cuylle + Schneider in a Marchenko deal. (I could see Cuylle in Columbus).

But, again, not happening.

I’d include Laffy in a deal for a center… like say Robert Thomas.

 

[Sam Rosen]

I’d include Laffy in a deal for a center… like say Robert Thomas.

Basically if it’s a like for like player, laffy’s deal is too good to send anywhere. Clear upgrade/team need is a dif story.

 

[RangersFan1994]

I’d include Laffy in a deal for a center… like say Robert Thomas.

Someone closer to 30 no thanks. Rather get someone younger like a Lundell or W.Smith?

W.Smith to Rangers?

 

[Waltuh]

Someone closer to 30 no thanks. Rather get someone younger like a Lundell or W.Smith?

W.Smith to Rangers?

not a center

 

[RangersFan1994]

not a center

Smith isnt a a center? He was drafted as a center.

Will Smith (b.2005) Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Will Smith, a hockey player from Boston, MA born Mar 17 2005 who was active from 2021 to 2026.

www.hockeydb.com