- Matthew Knies is part of the Maple Leafs’ trade talks with the Blue Jackets for Kirill Marchenko
- Toronto would also take on a goalie with a $5.4 million cap hit if the deal goes through
- Read below for the cap math and where the Knies trade talks stand
Matthew Knies is the big piece going back to Columbus in Toronto’s push for Kirill Marchenko.
Pierre LeBrun reported Monday that the proposed trade between the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets involves multiple pieces, with Knies and Marchenko both in it. He stressed it isn’t a done deal yet and that both teams are still working through things:
Elliotte Friedman, who first reported the two sides were “deep” in discussions, added another name a few minutes later. Friedman believes Toronto is taking goaltender Elvis Merzlikins if the trade goes through:
That’s where the cap math comes in. Merzlikins carries a $5.4 million cap hit in the final year of his contract, and he’s still working back from shoulder surgery in August. Jet Greaves has taken over the starting job in Columbus.
Moving that money would give the Blue Jackets room to absorb Knies and his $7.75 million cap hit. Columbus got pushed over the cap last week after signing Adam Fantilli to a six-year extension worth $13.75 million per season.
Chris Johnston reported the extra players are there to help with cap offset ahead of Monday’s 5 p.m. ET roster deadline. Toronto also still needs an extension in place with Marchenko:
Knies would be a big name to give up. The 23-year-old put up a career-high 66 points (23 goals, 43 assists) in 79 games last season and is in the second year of a six-year, $46.5 million deal. He skated on the top line with Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic at practice Monday morning.
Marchenko has 58 goals and 141 points over the past two seasons, including a career-best 31 goals and 74 points in 2024-25. His $3.85 million cap hit expires after this season, and he wouldn’t commit to Columbus when asked about his future during camp.
Nothing is official yet. The roster deadline hits at 5 p.m. ET, and the Leafs open their season Tuesday night against the Canadiens.
