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Maple Leafs land Marchenko as Blue Jackets build around Knies
Toronto commits long term to a potential Auston Matthews linemate, while Columbus adds a productive winger at a lower annual cost.
By OddsListing wire desk
· 2 min read
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A major move before opening night
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets reshaped their rosters on Sept. 28, completing a trade built around Kirill Marchenko and Matthew Knies ahead of the 2026-27 season. Toronto acquired Marchenko, forward Miles Wood and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins. Columbus received Knies, forward Steven Lorentz, defenseman Emil Andrae and a conditional 2027 second-round pick. The Blue Jackets will retain 18% of Merzlikins’ salary.
Toronto pays for scoring upside
Marchenko signed a six-year contract with a $12.5 million average annual value, giving Toronto long-term certainty rather than leaving negotiations unresolved through the season. The appeal is his potential fit alongside Auston Matthews. Marchenko scored 27 goals and totaled 67 points last season, and his career-best goal total is 31. Playing with Matthews could give him an opportunity to raise that ceiling, though any production jump remains a projection. The financial trade-off is substantial: Knies carries a $7.75 million annual cap charge. Toronto also takes on uncertainty in goal, with Merzlikins on injured reserve following offseason shoulder surgery. Wood, who cleared waivers, offers forward depth.
Columbus balances production and cost
Knies gives Columbus a replacement whose recent production closely matched Marchenko’s. The 23-year-old finished last season with 23 goals and 66 points and could join Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson on the top line. Whether Knies can sustain that output away from Matthews is a central question. His net-driving style, however, could help Columbus create more dangerous opportunities while his lower annual salary offers a financial advantage over Marchenko’s new deal. The supporting return adds useful options. Lorentz brings penalty-killing experience to a club that ranked 28th in that department last season, while Andrae provides another defensive option after recording 13 points in 61 games. Toronto’s upside rests on Marchenko becoming an even more dangerous scorer. Columbus has a path to maintaining wing production while gaining depth and a conditional draft asset.
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