Kirill Marchenko trade to the Bruins is gaining steam as huge return emerges

Kirill Marchenko would cost the Boston Bruins a small fortune in young talent, according to Kevin Paul Dupont.

Dupont laid out the price on Friday. A serious bid for the 26-year-old means "surrendering Minten or Hagens, Round 1 pick and another young roster asset, Lohrei or better."

That's three pieces for one player, and most of them are young. Don Sweeney would be shipping out a big chunk of the future.

Why would Boston even consider it? The Columbus forward just showed what he brings, scoring a shorthanded goal in Thursday's 4-0 win over Pittsburgh.

He added three shots on goal and finished plus-1.

The Bruins, meanwhile, are scuffling. Marco Sturm's group dropped a 3-2 decision past regulation in Washington on Friday after a 2-0 loss in Philadelphia on Thursday.

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Don Sweeney's price tag starts with James Hagens or Fraser Minten

Hagens is the name that'll make Boston fans flinch. He put five shots on goal in 20:36 against the Flyers on Thursday.

Sturm went right back to him Friday, too, giving him 13:55 in Washington.

Minten logged 18:27 in that game with two shots on goal. Lohrei, the defenseman in Dupont's package, played 16:56.

The price is too rich. A first-round pick, a top young forward and Lohrei for one player is how a retool turns into a rebuild.

It's trading the kid's college fund for a sports car. Fun for a few years, until the bill shows up.

Then again, 26 isn't old, and Dupont's list reflects what a forward in his prime costs on the open market.

Don Waddell has no reason to give him away, either. Rick Bowness' Blue Jackets are 2-1 this preseason and visit Detroit on Saturday.

Boston opens the regular season Tuesday at home against the New York Rangers.

Nobody's said a bid is actually coming. But if Sweeney picks up the phone, the first question from Columbus will be about Hagens, and Boston's answer will say a lot about where this franchise thinks it's headed.

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