The Maple Leafs are no longer flying under the radar when it comes to Kirill Marchenko.
Elliotte Friedman said on 32 Thoughts that Toronto is among the teams with real interest in the Columbus Blue Jackets forward, and that the Marchenko sweepstakes are heating up. According to Friedman, several clubs have either shown interest or already put an offer in to Columbus.
That lines up with the reports from over the summer, when Marchenko’s name started circulating because he wanted a major contract and Columbus was not eager to hand him that kind of raise. Nothing is done yet, but the clock is clearly part of the conversation now.
Marchenko would bring exactly the sort of scoring punch Toronto is looking for. He has 102 goals in 209 games, along with strong defensive and possession numbers, and he is still in the prime of his career.
On paper, the fit is obvious. Marchenko alongside Auston Matthews would give the Leafs more puck possession and more finish around their top center. It could also let Toronto slide Matthew Knies down the lineup, where he could face softer matchups as he continues to develop.
The problem is the price tag, and it is not a small one.
A deal for Marchenko would likely start with Matthew Knies, and Toronto may also have to include its 2028 first-round pick. On top of that, Easton Cowan or Ben Danford could also come into play. And then there is the contract itself, with Marchenko likely needing $12 million or more in average annual value on his next deal.
That is where the math gets messy for Toronto. Knies is already locked up long term at a far cheaper number, and the rising salary cap only makes that contract look better.
Marchenko is a proven, steady NHL scorer, and he would unquestionably help the Maple Leafs. But if the cost is Knies and more premium assets on top of that, Toronto has a real decision to make about how far it wants to push in for him.
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