On the eve of a new NHL season, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced a blockbuster trade sending forward Matthew Knies to the Columbus Blue Jackets for right-winger Kirill Marchenko in a multi-player deal.
Knies, along with defenceman Emil Andrae, winger Steven Lorentz and a 2027 second-round draft pick, will pack up and head across the border to Columbus. The Leafs will receive Marchenko, injured goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and veteran winger Miles Wood.
Marchenko, 26, has agreed to a six-year, US$75-million contract extension with Toronto, according to his agent Dan Milstein, reported in the Toronto Sun.
The trade seems to be a hit with hockey prognosticators in Toronto who seem thrilled with Marchenko’s offence ability especially on the rush. It gives Toronto another top-six forward adding Marchenko to the team’s offensive core in Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, Gavin McKenna and Jack Roslovic.
Knies, 23, scored 23 goals and 43 assists last season but finished with a minus-30 rating.
Marchenko has scored at least 20 goals in each of his four NHL seasons with Columbus. The Blue Jackets selected him 49th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Although the Maple Leafs open their season tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, Marchenko is dealing with immigration issues and will not be in the lineup.