Report: Maple Leafs, Blue Jackets working on trade involving Marchenko, Knies

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets are reportedly “deep in discussions” on a trade that would see Kirill Marchenko and Matthew Knies swap places, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Monday afternoon.

Marchenko, 26, recorded 27 goals and 67 points in 76 games with the Blue Jackets during the 2025-26 regular season. The 6’3″ right wing is signed for the 2026-27 season at a $3.85 million cap hit but had been noncommittal about the prospect of remaining in Columbus beyond his current contract, leading to a flurry of rumors and speculation about his future.

Knies, 23, is signed through 2031 at a $7.75 million annual cap hit. Another 6’3″ winger, Knies weighs in nearly 30 pounds heavier than Marchenko and is younger and cost-controlled, all of which clearly makes him appealing to a Blue Jackets team looking to evolve into a long-term contender. Knies has also been the subject of trade rumors for the better part of a year, dating back to before John Chayka replaced Brad Treliving as the Maple Leafs’ general manager.

According to Friedman, the Blue Jackets have given the Maple Leafs permission to speak with Marchenko to see if they can lock down a contract extension. Additionally, if the deal goes through, the Maple Leafs will reportedly also receive 32-year-old goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, who is entering the final year of his contract and is currently out indefinitely with no timetable for a return after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery.

Knies finished third on the Maple Leafs in scoring with 66 points (23 goals, 43 assists) in 79 games during the 2025-26 regular season. The Phoenix, Ariz. product dealt with a nagging knee injury throughout the year, which contributed to him finishing with a team-worst minus-30 rating. The Maple Leafs originally selected Knies in the second round (No. 57 overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft; he’s racked up 67 goals and 160 points in 240 career games with Toronto, not including his eight goals and 14 points in 27 playoff games.

Marchenko led all Blue Jackets forwards in goals and points in 2025-26 and finished second in overall team scoring behind Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski. The 2018 second-round pick (No. 49 overall) has amassed 102 goals and 208 points in 292 games across parts of four seasons in Columbus.

Merzlikins appeared in just 30 games with the Blue Jackets in the 2025-26 season and lost the starter’s job to upstart sophomore Jet Greaves. The Latvian netminder failed his physical at the start of Columbus’s 2026 training camp and wouldn’t have a clear path to a regular role in Toronto, with both Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz ahead of him on the depth chart.

The Maple Leafs are scheduled to kick off their 2026-27 regular season slate on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens; Columbus will open its season on Oct. 1 against the Buffalo Sabres. Will Marchenko and Knies officially be part of different teams by then? Stay tuned.