The Columbus Blue Jackets moved on from Kirill Marchenko days before their season opener, ending a trade situation with a blockbuster deal involving the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Blue Jackets sent Marchenko, Elvis Merzlikins and Miles Wood to the Leafs in exchange for Matthew Knies, Emil Andrae, Steven Lorentz and a 2027 second-round pick.
Marchenko had informed Columbus that he didn’t intend to sign long-term, and shortly after the trade, he and Toronto agreed to a six-year, $75 million extension carrying a $12.5 million cap hit.
Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell explained the move Monday, saying Columbus had insisted in trade talks that the franchise needed NHL-ready scorers rather than future assets.
“We told teams when we talked about a return that we needed scoring back, not futures, not picks,” Waddell said. “We needed goals. Knies can score goals.”
Knies produced a career-high 66 points last season and is under contract through 2030-31 at $7.75 million annually.
Waddell called the Marchenko situation an “uncomfortable” one, but made it clear Columbus wouldn’t move him to just end the uncertainty.
“But I wasn’t going to make a deal just to make a deal,” Waddell said. “We needed [a return] that could keep us competitive, and I think we’re really competitive.”
Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Most interestingly, Waddell revealed that other NHL executives called him afterward and told him they couldn’t have matched Toronto’s package.
“I had multiple GMs call me and tell me, ‘No wonder you couldn’t make the deal with us. I couldn’t match that deal,’” Waddell said. “That’s always reassuring to hear, because I was pretty vocal. I needed a replacement for Marchenko. I wasn’t taking prospects and picks.”
Columbus will start its season with a matchup against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
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