The Toronto Maple Leafs made a huge splash ahead of Day 1 of the NHL regular season, just before the 5 pm roster deadline, by acquiring Kirill Marchenko from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
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Kirill Marchenko Heads to Toronto Maple Leafs With Matthew Knies Going to Columbus in Big Hockey Trade #leafs #cbj pic.twitter.com/SFaLmsxOKi
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) September 28, 2026
As part of the deal, the Maple Leafs are sending Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, and Emil Andrae, whom they got from Philadelphia, plus a second-round pick, in exchange for Kirill Marchenko, Elvis Merzlikins (18 percent salary retained), around $972,000 and Miles Wood.
Marchenko had been in the rumour mill all summer, given he wasn’t going to extend in Columbus. That news broke at the 2026 NHL Draft, via his agent, Dan Milstein. He was looking for a significant raise from the $3.85 million he currently earns.
Trade talks intensified Monday afternoon ahead of the 5 pm roster deadline. Marchenko was linked to the Montreal Canadiens all summer, but other teams like the Boston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights, Seattle Kraken, and Toronto Maple Leafs ultimately landed him.
To finalize the deal, the Maple Leafs agreed to a new six-year contract worth $75 million that carries a $12.5 million salary cap hit. Marchenko is now being paid more than Mikko Rantanen ($12 million AAV), Kyle Connor ($12 million AAV), Jason Robertson ($12 million AAV), and Mitch Marner ($12 million AAV).
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Marchenko is a consistent 25-30 goal scorer, and he’s expected to score 30-plus goals in the NHL given the contract extension he just signed.
Kirill Marchenko, acquired and extended 6x$12.5M by TOR, is a dynamic 1st line offensive winger with a slick shot, a ton of confidence handling the puck, and strong size and puck protection. Plays an aggressive and assertive offensive game with plenty of highlight-reel flair. pic.twitter.com/50pOWVL67L
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) September 28, 2026
As part of the deal, the Columbus Blue Jackets are getting a solid top-six winger on a very good deal. The only way Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell was moving a player like Marchenko was by getting players like Matthew Knies in return. He didn’t want prospects and picks. He wanted players that could help his team compete now. Players are a must for the Jackets, so Waddell held firm until he got the offer he wanted.
The Maple Leafs drafted and developed Knies, who recorded 160 points (67 goals and 93 assists) in 240 regular-season games. He brings that edge you need to win when games get tough at the end of the regular season and into the playoffs.
Matthew Knies, signed 6x$7.8M by TOR, is a young complementary top six winger with a terrific combination of size, motor, strength, and finishing touch that makes him well-suited to play alongside skilled linemates. May never be a true driver but should always pull his weight. pic.twitter.com/zCQ0Vtp7OI
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 29, 2025
Along with Knies, the Blue Jackets get a gritty and physical player in Steven Lorentz, who won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers. They also get a two-way defenseman in Emil Andrae. As previously mentioned, Andrae was part of the trade package Toronto got along with Samuel Ersson, which sent Simon Benoit and Joseph Woll to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Maple Leafs GM John Chayka is putting his fingerprints all over this roster. It just felt like Knies’s time was up once he was mentioned in trade rumours around the NHL Trade Deadline. We know the Montreal Canadiens tried to get him. He was on his way out as the Maple Leafs got a player who they feel is better and can add more scoring to their lineup.
Meanwhile, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell got his “Yes” package for Marchenko so he can keep Columbus competitive in the Metro Division and get back to the playoffs in order to quiet the uncertainty around the franchise, especially around defenseman Zach Werenski.
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[…] But this is a big year for the Columbus Blue Jackets given they missed the playoffs the last couple of seasons. They were right there the last two seasons. Columbus hopes the return of Matthew Knies, Emil Andrea, and Steven Lorentz, but mostly Knies for Kirill Marchenko, will show Werenski the Blue Jackets are serious about winning. […]