After the Columbus Blue Jackets acquired Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Mason Marchment would be hitting the market as an unrestricted free agent. Still the case as of this morning, TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that Marchment should have a robust market once the market opens up at noon eastern, with the San Jose Sharks being a likely landing spot.
Additionally, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun shared that the Montreal Canadiens are another team with interest in Marchment, but are hesitant to sign him to a long-term deal to avoid blocking younger players on the roster. However, if the Canadiens are unwilling to offer Marchment a multi-year deal of any kind, it’s unlikely that he will take his talents to Quebec.
Regardless, it’s not surprising that Marchment will have a robust market. After middling out with the Seattle Kraken, Marchment went on a tear with the Blue Jackets, scoring 15 goals and 32 points in 39 games with a +21 rating, averaging 17:41 of ice time per game. It’s unlikely he could manage to keep up that scoring pace throughout a season, but Marchment remains one of the better options as a middle-six complement for many teams around the league.
Additional free agency notes:
- After failing to gain traction in negotiations with the Ottawa Senators, LeBrun confirmed that Claude Giroux would hit the open market this afternoon. Although his scoring has dissipated in each of the four years he has been with the Senators, Giroux remains a solid secondary contributor, scoring 14 goals and 49 points in 82 games with a +20 rating. Additionally, the 38-year-old Giroux remains arguably the best faceoff taker in the league, winning 504 of 799 draws (63.1%) this past season. He is keeping the door open for a return to Ottawa, but Giroux will have the opportunity to speak with 31 other teams this afternoon.
- Another veteran will join Giroux on the open market. After signing three consecutive one-year deals with the Detroit Red Wings, LeBrun indicated that Patrick Kane will become an unrestricted free agent this afternoon. Like Giroux, Kane is leaving the door open for a return to Detroit. However, with Dylan Larkin on the outs, Kane may look for an opportunity to get back into the playoffs with a different team. He has remained a strong offensive contributor, registering 16 goals and 57 points in 67 games for the Red Wings this past season. Like Giroux, Kane would be a strong fit on multiple different teams.
