Maple Leafs Ship Matthew Knies to Blue Jackets for Kirill Marchenko in Multi-Player Trade
The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired winger Kirill Marchenko, forward Miles Wood, and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for winger Matthew Knies, forward Steven Lorentz, defenseman Emil Andrae, and a conditional 2027 second-round draft pick.
The Maple Leafs signed Marchenko to a six-year, $75-million contract extension with an average annual value of $12.5 million. The Blue Jackets retain 18 percent of Merzlikin’s $5.4 million cap hit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Who said blockbuster moves no longer happen on the eve of the regular season?
Columbus Blue Jackets trade winger Kirill Marchenko to the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL Images).
This is a significant move by both clubs. Marchenko was a fixture in the rumor mill over the summer after it was reported that he was unwilling to sign an extension with Columbus. Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell insisted that he wasn’t seeking draft picks and prospects for the 26-year-old winger, instead preferring a comparable scoring winger in return.
Waddell gets his wish with Knies. The 23-year-old power forward is in the second season of a seven-year contract with an affordable AAV of $7.75 million. He’s made steady progress in his three-season NHL career. Despite being hampered by a knee injury last season, he reached a career-high 66 points in 79 games. He’ll likely skate at left wing on the Blue Jackets’ first line alongside young center Adam Fantilli.
Meanwhile, Marchenko will take Knies’ former spot alongside Maple Leafs superstar center Auston Matthews. Unlike Knies’ physical net-front presence, Marchenko is a swift, offensively creative forward who had a career-best 74-point performance in 2024-25. His style could mesh well with Matthews’ game.
The rest of the players in this deal are mostly depth players being swapped for salary-cap reasons.
Merzlikins was formerly the Blue Jackets’ starting goaltender until losing that job last season to Jet Greaves. He’s sidelined indefinitely due to offseason shoulder surgery and will go on long-term injury reserve. Merzlikins is in the final season of his contract and is UFA-eligible next summer. Given his injury status, it’s unlikely he’ll suit up for the Leafs this season.
So what do you think of this deal? Let us know in the comments below.
Big trade win for CBJ IMHO
I clearly would never say that but realistically it’s a good fit and trade for both teams but I’m honestly curious why you would proclaim “big trade win for CBJ? You can’t get something good without giving something of good value back. But I’d love to hear it.
I’ll tell you why it’s great for both first ok? CBJ gets a solid young left shooting power forward, but not the bash type but more net front, dig out pucks, hard on the wall type that is strong and young with a ceiling as high as Marchenko is now just not as fast.
Leafs get a much needed right shot forward who stats show can drive a line, has elite speed and can be a steady 30 goal scorer that’s not a defensive liability.
Bold move by both GM’s. Both got exactly what they wanted and teams lacked. That move also looks like both Chayka and Sundin definitely share a vision and that vision seems to stem from Mats past team’s shortcomings and avoiding them at all costs.
Personally I can see why they did it and could simply come down to why wait for Knies to reach his potential (if he even gets there) and when/if he does won’t be any better than Marchenko is now when you have an aging core in it’s prime right now.
Could be good for both teams. Glad to put Marchenko’s trade saga to rest and not hear about it anymore. Now if something could be done with Hellebuyck and Larkin, that would be even better!
So the Leafs are paying a $5M premium for a player who is three years older and projects for 3 more goals scored in 26-7. Makes sense to me. 😀
Leafs signed him…ugh.. horrible deal.
Typical
Marchenko is 93 percentile in slating speed and a play driver with finish. Knies is not but I think he fits well with K.Johnson Fantilli and is going to look dirt cheap in a couple of years. Over term $25 m cost avoidance by Columbus that can be put to use elsewhere
Elvis has left the league