Maple Leafs acquire Marchenko, sign him to six-year extension — SkimNews
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- Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Kirill Marchenko, Miles Wood, and Elvis Merzlikins from Columbus, sending back Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae, and a 2027 second-round pick on the eve of the NHL season.
- Marchenko signed a six-year extension with a $12.5 million cap hit after leading Columbus in goals in each of the past three seasons, amassing 81 goals in 233 games.
- Marchenko is expected to slot onto Toronto's top line alongside Auston Matthews, per the source, following a June ESPN report that he wanted a change of scenery.
- Merzlikins is out indefinitely after failing a physical at the start of training camp following shoulder surgery in August, with Columbus retaining 18% of his $5.4 million cap hit.
- Knies, the centerpiece return for Columbus, is a 23-year-old power winger signed through 2031 at a $7.75 million AAV who posted 66 points (23 goals, 43 assists) in 79 games last season.
Why it matters: Toronto traded a 23-year-old, cost-controlled power winger locked up through 2031 plus two depth pieces and a pick for a scorer they're now committed to through age 32 at $12.5M per year — a major long-term cap reshape of their top-six forward group around Auston Matthews, while also absorbing an injured goalie's contract (partially retained by Columbus).
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