Overview
- The six‑player deal sent Kirill Marchenko, Miles Wood and goalie Elvis Merzlikins to Toronto in exchange for Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a 2027 second‑round pick, a trade announced Monday.
- Marchenko agreed to a six‑year, $75 million extension with an average annual value of $12.5 million that takes effect in 2027, guaranteeing him through the 2032‑33 season.
- Columbus will retain 18 percent of Merzlikins’ roughly $5.4 million cap hit and Merzlikins remains sidelined after offseason shoulder surgery, a status Toronto plans to use in its cap planning and injured reserve moves.
- Matthew Knies leaves Toronto under a $7.75 million AAV contract and gives Columbus a cost‑controlled, power‑forward piece while Toronto gains a higher short‑term scoring winger for its top six.
- The trade resolves a summer standoff over Marchenko’s willingness to re‑sign in Columbus and reflects Columbus’ need to address cap pressure after Adam Fantilli’s new deal, with Toronto betting Marchenko’s speed and scoring will lift its offense once his paperwork and cap logistics are cleared.