What Happened
The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired forward Kirill Marchenko from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday, the teams announced, in a multi-player deal ahead of the 2026-27 season. Marchenko signed a six-year contract extension with Toronto carrying a $12.5 million AAV as part of the trade. Columbus received Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a second-round pick, while Toronto also got forward Miles Wood and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins with some salary retained.
Key Details
- Marchenko, 26, had indicated he would not re-sign with Columbus when his contract expired next summer
- Knies, 23, signed a six-year deal with a $7.75 million AAV last off-season
- Knies had been the subject of trade rumours since the March trade deadline
- Both Marchenko and Knies leave the only NHL organizations they have played for
- Toronto received Merzlikins with salary retained, plus forward Miles Wood
- Columbus also added Lorentz, Andrae and a second-round pick
What It Means
Toronto adds a 26-year-old winger in Marchenko and commits to him long term at a $12.5 million AAV, while parting with Knies, a 23-year-old who had been signed through a six-year, $7.75 million AAV deal. Columbus moves a player who had signalled he would not return, recouping a young forward in Knies plus additional pieces. The deal reshapes both clubs' forward groups before Opening Night.