Marchenko wasting no time 'getting comfortable' with Maple Leafs

TORONTO -- Kirill Marchenko broke into a mischievous grin when he walked into the Toronto Maple Leafs dressing room after practice Friday and saw the media horde waiting for him at his locker.

Welcome to Toronto, Mr. Marchenko.

"No English," he told reporters as he arrived before busting into laughter.

Truth be told, Marchenko seems to be embracing every moment of being a Maple Leaf and the spotlight that goes with it, despite the whirlwind it has been for the 26-year-old forward since being acquired in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday.

Whether it's joking about not knowing the language (which, for the record, he does); raving about the chance to play with new linemates Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic or waxing poetically about the opportunity to play in hockey-mad Toronto, Marchenko says he loves almost everything about his new team and the city he's playing in.

The exception? He'd have liked to been more productive in his first two games with Toronto, averaging 19:12 of ice time and recording an assist.

"So happy to be here, and so happy to get my first practice in with my linemates," he said. "We are getting comfortable together a bit. It's nice that we are building the chemistry here.

"It's been kind of tough because we had zero practice before today. I think, day by day, you go through a couple of exercises on the ice, and it gets easier and easier."

Helping make the transition smoother is the fact Marchenko played with Roslovic when the former was a rookie with Columbus in 2022-23. As for Matthews, Marchenko's eyes light up when thinking of how successful the trio can be led by the Toronto captain.

"He's been great," Marchenko said. "He's spent so much time with me going over the small details, Our line scored a couple of goals at practice today and it just feels more comfortable."

Marchenko was part of a six-player deal; the Maple Leafs also received forward Miles Wood and goalie Elvis Merzlikins. Going to Columbus were forwards Matthew Knies and Steven Lorentz, defenseman Emil Andrae and a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

Marchenko, who could have become a restricted free agent after this season, signed a six-year, $75 million contract ($12.5 million average annual value) with the Maple Leafs that starts next season, according to his agent. He had 208 points (102 goals, 106 assists) in 292 games with the Blue Jackets, who selected him in the second round (No. 49) of the 2018 NHL Draft. 

He, wife Victoria and their cat flew on a private jet from Columbus to Toronto on Monday night before he played back-to-back games with his new team Tuesday and Wednesday; he had an assist in his Maple Leafs debut on Tuesday in a 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. An off day Thursday allowed him to recharge his batteries and look for a residence with Toronto hosting the Ottawa Senators on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; SNO, SNP).

He said Roslovic has been a big help with things such as finding an apartment and dealing with Toronto traffic.

"I'm in Moscow in the summer so I know all about traffic," he said. "It's nothing new."

Though it has been a small body of work, coach Jim Hiller has been impressed with what he has seen thus far. Marchenko said he has felt comfortable playing on the left side, his off-wing, something he has done through minor hockey all the way until he was 22 years old.

"I think he really enjoyed practice today," Hiller said. "I talked to him afterward and he said he was really happy with it … I just get the sense from him he really loves hockey. He wants to be on the ice all the time. 

"He loves practice. There's a little less pressure when you are practicing with your linemates. I think they found some chemistry out there today."

Add it all up, and Marchenko is starting to feel right at home.

"I love it here," he said. "The fans, my teammates, it's all great.

"It's a privilege to be here."