Marchenko traded to Maple Leafs from Blue Jackets, signs six-year deal

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.

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.

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 average annual value) with Toronto on July 1, 2025.

Selected by the Maple Leafs in the second round (No. 57) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Knies has 160 points (67 goals, 93 assists) in 240 regular-season games and 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 27 Stanley Cup Playoff games. 

Merzlikins, 32, was 14-11-3 with a 3.40 goals-against average and .883 save percentage for Columbus. He’s 108-111-38 with a 3.22 GAA and .900 save percentage in 274 regular-season games, all with Columbus.

Wood had 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 54 games last season and has 196 points (99 goals, 97 assists) in 567 regular-season games with the New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche and Blue Jackets.

Lorentz had 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 71 games with Toronto last season. A member of the 2024 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, the 30-year-old has 80 points (36 goals, 44 assists) in 381 regular-season games with the Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks, Panthers and Maple Leafs.

Andrae, 24, had 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) last season for the Philadelphia Flyers. He was traded to the Maple Leafs on June 16 as part of the Joseph Woll trade.

The Maple Leafs open the 2026-27 regular season on Tuesday at home against the Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN). The Blue Jackets open their season at home against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; CBJHN, CBJNHL, MSG-B).