- The Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets are reportedly deep in trade talks over Kirill Marchenko
- Marchenko’s agent has permission to negotiate an extension with interested teams
- Read below for what Columbus wants back in a Marchenko trade
Kirill Marchenko might be headed to Toronto.
The Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets are “deep in discussions” on a trade involving the 26-year-old winger, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Monday afternoon:
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period added more a few minutes later. Marchenko’s agent, Dan Milstein, has been given permission to talk money and negotiate an extension with teams.
According to Pagnotta, talks with the Leafs “advanced considerably” in recent days and seem to be moving in that direction, though nothing is done yet:
The reports came hours after Columbus opened the door publicly. GM Don Waddell has let other general managers know Marchenko is available, but only for immediate scoring help, per The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline.
Waddell was blunt about what he wants in return.
“We don’t want draft picks and prospects, we want the best player possible to replace him,” Waddell said.
He also said he isn’t shopping the winger. Teams are calling, and Columbus is working through that interest.
That ask is what makes Toronto an interesting fit. The Leafs would have to send a real NHL scorer the other way, and Matthew Knies has already come up in trade rumors this month. Nobody has reported Knies is part of these talks, though:
Marchenko would be a big get. He scored 27 goals and 67 points in 76 games last season after a career-high 31 goals and 74 points the year before.
His $3.85 million cap hit expires after this season. Marchenko will be a restricted free agent next summer, not unrestricted, which is why an extension is part of any deal.
This saga has been simmering since June, when reports said Marchenko wasn’t planning to re-sign in Columbus. He was noncommittal about his future when camp opened, and the Oilers were linked to him last week.
The Blue Jackets open their season Thursday at home against the Sabres, so Waddell doesn’t have long if he wants Marchenko’s situation settled before opening night.
