So far it's looking like a win-win.
After the Columbus Blue Jackets fell 5-2 to the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 18, leader and veteran defenseman Zach Werenski did not mince words regarding another bitter loss.
"I feel like it's the same thing we've been saying," Werenski said. "We're playing well enough to win, but it's getting old that we keep losing. Enough is enough. It's unacceptable.
"At the end of the day, this is getting outrageous. We're a good hockey team, and we're just losing games. So, maybe we're not a good hockey team."
On Dec. 20, just before the roster freeze ahead of the Christmas break, president and general manager Don Waddell swung a trade with the Seattle Kraken, acquiring forward Mason Marchment for a 2026 fourth-round draft pick and a 2027 second-round pick.
In the four games since, the Blue Jackets are 3-1-0, and Marchment has factored into the score sheet in each game, becoming the first Blue Jacket ever to score three goals in his first two games. Damon Severson has assisted on all three of his goals.
Marchment's First Tally Since Trade
Mason Marchment has his first goal as a member of the Blue Jackets! pic.twitter.com/WK1ho6gZDg
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 21, 2025
Franchise Record Three Goals In First Two Games
Back-to-back games with a goal for his new team
— SleeperNHL (@SleeperNHL) December 23, 2025
Mason Marchment is making a quick impact on the Blue Jackets pic.twitter.com/czHxavmbd1
Make that two for Mason Marchment
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 23, 2025
Three goals in four periods as a Blue Jacket pic.twitter.com/T1lQd9Wa8G
In Sunday's 4-2 win over the New York Islanders, Marchment added a primary assist on Kirill Marchenko's first-period goal to put Columbus ahead 1-0.
Kirill Marchenko gets his 12th of the season here to put the #CBJ up 1-0. Mason Marchment, in his home debut with the team, picks up the primary assist. He's boomin' for the Blue Jackets, right now: three goals and an assist in 2+ games.pic.twitter.com/g9kKEtSNb2
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 28, 2025
Marchment, not one to shy from the physical part of the game, also found himself embroiled in an early second-period dustup between both teams after his trip sent rookie Matthew Schaefer sprawling through center ice. Mat Barzal took retaliation into his own hands with a baseball swing whack at Marchment's feet, resulting in a five-minute major penalty for slashing and a game misconduct. He was fined the maximum $5k on Monday for his actions.
Mason Marchment stuck out a leg on Matthew Schaefer and Mat Barzal got him back with a HEFTY slash and chaos ensued pic.twitter.com/QYI4gwffmK
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) December 28, 2025
"It's part of my game to try to get in the other team's head a little bit," Marchment said. "I was never trying to hurt him there in the middle or whatever. Just kind of get in his way. Probably not smart by me. Luckily, they took a penalty right after."
Despite travel issues preventing the Blue Jackets from getting to Ottawa until just a few hours before Monday's tilt against the Senators, the Jackets were able to make it three straight wins, coincidentally, without Werenski, as he nurses a lower-body injury (day-to-day). Marchment led Blue Jackets forwards with 20:26 time on ice and picked up his fifth point in his fourth game with the team. His assist on Marchenko's third-period goal helped put the game out of reach, 4-1, the eventual final.
The Blue Jackets are on their second three-game winning streak of the season.
TIC TAC TOE
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 30, 2025
Kirill Marchenko finishes off the pretty passing play pic.twitter.com/uQ9sTy1sjw
During his brief Blue Jackets tenure so far, Marchment has found on-ice chemistry with linemates Marchenko and Adam Fantilli. Marchment leads the team with 1.25 points per game since his arrival.
| Games Played | Time On Ice | Goals For/Against per 60 | Expected Goals For/Against per 60 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 35:58 | 5/0 | 3.15/2.08 |
Adding to the trade being a win-win in the early going is the Kraken being 4-0-1 since the trade.
For Columbus, they look to match a season-long four-game win streak when they play host to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday, New Year's Eve, starting at 7 p.m. That game kicks off a three-game homestand, also featuring new general manager Jarmo Kekalainen's red-hot Buffalo Sabres, winners of nine straight, and the Pittsburgh Penguins, who acquired Yegor Chinakhov in a trade with the Jackets on Monday.
