Kirill Marchenko has a new home.
The 26-year-old forward was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday as part of a six-player deal that saw Matthew Knies go back to Columbus.
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.
“I think the most simple way I can put it is there’s a lot of good players in the NHL, (but) very few that can impact winning and can singlehandedly dictate the outcome of games,” Toronto general manager John Chayka said Tuesday, when the Maple Leafs play their season opener against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN). “We believe Kirill is one of these players for us. You’ve got to give up quality to get quality, and we gave up some quality people and quality players.
“He was a player that wasn’t willing to just go anywhere. He wants to win. He wants to be part of a world-class organization.”
Chayka said he's hopeful Marchenko can make his Maple Leafs debut Tuesday, provided his immigration paperwork is completed.
In addition to Marchenko, the Maple Leafs also acquired forward Miles Wood and goalie Elvis Merzlikins. Going to Columbus with Knies was forward Steven Lorentz and defenseman Emil Andrae and a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
Marchenko is entering his fifth season since being selected by the Blue Jackets in the second round (No. 49) of the 2018 NHL Draft. He had 67 points (27 goals, 40 assists) in 76 games in 2025-26, leading Columbus in goals and finishing second in points. He has led the Blue Jackets in goals each of the past three seasons.
Marchenko has 208 points (102 goals, 106 assists) in 292 NHL games. He has one year remaining on a three-year. $11.55 million contract ($3.85 million average annual value) he signed with Columbus on July 28, 2024.
“His ability to make plays and score goals … great shot, right-handed shot, (he) gives us different options for the power play and throughout the offensive zone,” Chayka said. “To get a top scorer in his prime, be able to lock him up through those prime years at a number that is effective for us, we thought it was a special opportunity.”
Knies, 23, had an NHL career-high 66 points (23 goals, 43 assists) in 79 games for the Maple Leafs last season. He signed a six-year, $46.5 million contract ($7.75 million AAV) with Toronto on July 1, 2025.
“I was a little bit shocked, just of the timing of it all,” Knies said Tuesday. “But I think with my name being out there and just kind of the uncertainty here, I feel like it was just kind of an inevitable the way it seems. So yeah, it was pretty shocking in the sense that we just came home from practice (Monday), and obviously I had an opening game tomorrow, so really didn't see it happening.”
Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell said, “We wouldn't make this trade if we didn't think we were helping our hockey team, and we truly believe that for multiple reasons this deal is going to make us a better team today and moving forward.”
