Overview
- GM Don Waddell told reporters Thursday that he has spoken with Kirill Marchenko’s agent and that Marchenko will be a Blue Jacket at the start of the season.
- Marchenko is under contract for one more year at a $3.85 million cap hit and will be arbitration‑eligible next summer, leaving his long‑term status unresolved until an extension is reached.
- Columbus has identified goaltender Jet Greaves and centers Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger as top priorities and plans to sign or match offers for them before the upcoming arbitration/filing deadline.
- The Blue Jackets have about $21.5 million in projected cap space and expect to use most of it on those RFAs, which will limit room for other moves or costly extensions this offseason.
- Prospect Alexander Di Iorio will remain in the OHL this season and join Boston University in 2027‑28, and the club is balancing short‑term retention of core players with longer‑term roster building under coach Rick Bowness.