The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly one of a handful of teams showing interest in Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.Friedman listed the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Winnipeg Jets, Boston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights, and Seattle Kraken as other teams that are in the mix for Marchenko’s services. He went on to add that the Blue Jackets are not interested in futures and instead want to get back pieces that help keep them competitive right now. Blue Jackets fans have made it known how they feel about his trade request by booing him every time he touched the puck during their most recent preseason home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.It has been known for months that Marchenko had requested a trade out of Columbus, with reports throughout the summer of potential moves that did not materialize. While he has reported to camp, he was also noncommittal about his future with the organization as he deflected questions when pressed by reporters about whether or not he wants to be a Blue Jacket.Marchenko has one season left on his contract before he becomes an RFA and won’t be eligible to become a UFA until after the 2027-28 season. He is coming off a productive season where he finished second on the team in scoring with 67 points (27 goals and 40 assists) in 76 games played, behind only Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski.
Since entering the NHL in the 2022-23 campaign, Marchenko has been able to score 20 goals or more in each season of his career to date. He is two years removed from a 31-goal and 74-point season that once again had him second on the team in scoring behind only Werenski. Marchenko stands at 6’3″ and weighs 201 pounds, is a natural right-shot winger, and can play on both wings if needed. Any team that gets him would be getting one of the better snipers in the game today, while also boosting the power play.
It is certainly a surprising development that the Leafs are in the running for Marchenko, though adding someone who is guaranteed to reach the 20-goal mark is never a bad thing. There is no doubt that it will take quite the package to get him out of Columbus, given how many other teams are in the running. With that in mind, it signifies that GM John Chayka would likely have to consider including either Matthew Knies or Ben Danford as part of the package.
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