Option 2: rip off the band-aid.
The moment video of Marchenko's press availability dropped, many were quick to grab their pitchforks in an attempt to run him out of town. Who could blame them? We have seen this situation before, after all.
It is possible that Waddell could trade his non-committal winger; either before the season starts, or just after. That may depend on how the team comes out of the gate. A hot start could shut down a lot of the noise. A cold start could turn the volume way up.
If the Blue Jackets do decide to trade the star scorer away, the chance of getting immediate help in return are very slim. So, it's likely a futures-heavy kind of trade, which has been said to be a non-starter for this team all summer. For that reason, I think a trade in the coming weeks is pretty unlikely.
I'll double down on that thought, because the goal and focus this season seems to be taking another step forward in hopes of convincing star defenseman Zach Werenski to stick around beyond the end of his current contract. Trading Marchenko away for futures does the opposite of that.
They wouldn't be showing anyone that they are ready to win now. It would be back into a rebuild, or a "retool" if you prefer. In that case, the correct move by Waddell might be to sell off Marchenko for a big futures deal now-and Werenski for a big futures deal in the summer.
That kind of dealing could net this team a massive glut of young talent. Wouldn't that be bold?
There's just one problem: I don't think there is any appetite for that in Columbus right now. From ownership, through management, the coaching staff, players, and all the way down to us lowly fans. Nobody wants to see this team take a step back.
Lets be real: they did not hire Don Waddell to drag this team through another long rebuild. If both of these players go, it's possible that the GM himself could be shown the door before this team is ready to climb the standings again.
Either way, I don't think there is any situation where trading Marchenko now means holding onto Werenski long-term. It's both, or it's neither. Unless someone is trading a 30 goal, 70 point player to the Blue Jackets in a deal for #86. Good luck.
So, in the end, Waddell's only play might be to hope everyone can get along this year and put this team on the competition map. At least he's not in a UFA situation like the last GM was when a Russian winger decided he wanted to buy a house with a garage.
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