Opening Night Looms; Marchenko, Nikishin, and Dach Shuffle the Final Pre-Season Market

The NHL's September rumor cycle is accelerating into its closing window. Per reporting on Monday, the Montreal Canadiens are actively exploring a last-minute trade for Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko before the puck drops on opening night—a move general manager Kent Hughes is said to be weighing seriously. Marchenko, 26, posted 67 points across 76 games last season and carries a manageable $3.85 million cap hit, fitting Montreal's stated need for top-six depth. The hang-up is Don Waddell's asking price; while Columbus has publicly resisted trading the winger, the GM has acknowledged inquiries and signaled any deal must help the Blue Jackets' competitive position.

Meanwhile, a higher-profile domino fell apart over the weekend. Carolina and New York had negotiated the framework of an Alexander Nikishin trade earlier this offseason, but the defenseman's contract demands—roughly $9 million annually over five years—created an impasse both sides could not bridge. Nikishin's asking price outpaced what the Hurricanes were willing to commit, and other clubs balked at the term and dollar figure despite the salary cap's upward trajectory. The 25-year-old's offensive skill on the power play and puck-moving ability from the blue line are genuine assets, but the financial risk of a long-term commitment on an unproven defenseman in a new market proved too steep. Carolina retains the leverage here; with Nikishin's options limited and the team refusing to rush a move, they can afford to wait for either better terms or a three-team scenario that might unlock assets for goaltender Connor Hellebuyck—a player the Hurricanes continue monitoring in Winnipeg.

Edmonton's front office, meanwhile, is fishing the center market. The Oilers have reportedly circled both Kirby Dach and Shane Wright as potential acquisitions to bolster their right-shot center depth before the season begins. Neither move has materialized yet, but the shopping signals a clear organizational priority heading into the regular season.

From a betting perspective, these trades carry modest immediate prop consequences because most of the players involved (Marchenko, Nikishin, Dach, Wright) are either not yet moved or embedded in new systems on the eve of game action. The meaningful angle lies in roster construction and defensive assignments. If Marchenko lands in Montreal, he enters a forward group where his 67-point pace could elevate Montreal's team total projections—currently hovering in the mid-2.8 range per early-season estimators. A 26-year-old with five-on-five consistency moving into a second-line role with established playmakers would likely see increased power-play touches, which historically boosts his assist rate. If the trade closes before opening night, early market numbers on Montreal team totals may not yet reflect the upgraded depth; the window to fade modest overs or lean into their team total unders closes within 24 hours of any announcement. Conversely, if Marchenko stays in Columbus or any deal stalls, those same totals reset downward. Nikishin's situation has no immediate prop impact—he remains a Hurricane or walks elsewhere—but any Hellebuyck-related three-team scenario would reshape Carolina's goaltender save total and goals-against line, which would be repriced dramatically once a deal is confirmed.