The Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets are in deep discussions on a trade involving Kirill Marchenko, according to Elliotte Friedman.
Friedman said Monday afternoon that the two sides were working on a package that would send Marchenko to Toronto. The report landed fast and with real force, and the chatter around the deal only picked up from there.
Marchenko, 26, put up 27 goals and 67 points in 76 games for Columbus last season. He is a restricted free agent in the summer of 2027-28.
TSN’s Chris Johnston added that Marchenko does not currently have an extension in place with the Maple Leafs, though those talks are expected to happen later this afternoon.
The possible return is still unclear, but the belief is that Matthew Knies could be involved because of his age, his potential, and the way his contract situation could help Toronto make room for a future Marchenko deal. It would be a tough outcome for the Maple Leafs if that is how this goes, especially after John Chayka recently put his full faith in Knies as part of the solution.
Other names that could be part of the conversation include Easton Cowan, Ben Danford, and even Toronto’s 2028 first-round pick, which the club acquired in the Nic Roy deal. With cap space still a factor, the structure of any package remains the biggest question hanging over the talks.
This is a breaking story. We will update you with any new details as they arrive.
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