The Toronto Maple Leafs have only played three games, and the start has already come with a little bit of everything. Easton Cowan has flashed early impact-player potential, Darren Raddysh has given them the offensive boost they wanted from the back end, and Kirill Marchenko has finally opened his account in blue and white.
That first goal came Saturday, Oct. 3, in a 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators, but it still carried some weight. Marchenko scored on the power play at 7:06 of the second period to give Toronto its first lead of the night. The finish was a sharp one: a quick forehand-to-backhand move in tight, then a roof job over Linus Ullmark after a strong pass from Raddysh, who picked up his first assist.
It was the kind of goal that hints at what Toronto thinks it bought when it brought Marchenko in. He was traded to the Maple Leafs on Sept. 28 and then signed a six-year, $75 million extension that runs through the 2032-33 season. That deal starts on July 1, 2027, and carries a $12.5 million annual salary.
After the game, Marchenko was asked about scoring his first goal with the Maple Leafs and said, “Oh, it’s an amazing feeling. And I’m happy for that so much, but I’d be most happy if we win the game today…unbelievable feeling and how fans support me too.”
The bigger question now is whether that goal can be the first step toward a 30-goal season. Marchenko has hit that mark once in his four seasons, doing it in 2024-25 with the Columbus Blue Jackets when he scored 31. Last season, he put up 27 goals in 76 games, so the path back to 30 is clearly there if he stays healthy and gets into the 80-to-82 game range.
His game gives Toronto a real shot at that kind of production. The speed is there, the release is quick on the rush, and he can make teams pay before they get set. Add in his size and his ability to win battles in the offensive zone, and there’s enough to believe more chances are coming.
For a Maple Leafs team that has already gone through a major roster overhaul, the bigger picture still matters. There are 81 games left in the season, and Toronto is still trying to find its identity. Even so, Marchenko has already shown why the Leafs traded for him the day before opening night, and his two points in three games are a solid early return.
Toronto’s next chance comes Oct. 6 at home against the Nashville Predators in Scotiabank Arena. It’s the final home game before a road trip that takes the Leafs to the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and Utah Mammoth.
At 1-2-0, the start isn’t ideal, but there’s still plenty of time to straighten things out. Another goal from Marchenko would make the night even better.
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Alfredsson Just Reopened A Battle Of Ontario Wound For Sens Fans
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For Senators fans, the sting is not just about seeing a franchise icon in blue and white, but about how familiar his presence still feels around the Ottawa side of the rivalry. Toronto has brought him in to help guide a key part of its bench operation, and the initial reaction has been split between surprise and respect, with colleagues and fans settling into a mostly positive view of the hire. Even so, this is the sort of crossover that reopens old wounds fast, especially when it involves one of the most recognizable names in Senators history. [Read more 🡒]
Jake Sanderson Puts Ottawa Back In A Worrying Injury Spot
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The concern only grows because the team has offered little detail on where things stand, and Sanderson has also missed some practices along the way. For a Senators defense that leans heavily on his ability to move the puck and handle big minutes, any uncertainty around his availability is a problem the club would rather not be sorting out this early. [Read more 🡒]