Leafs reportedly acquire Marchenko and Merzlikins in blockbuster deal with Columbus

Kirill Marchenko is officially on his way out of Columbus, and what initially looked like a blockbuster one-for-one swap between the Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs is turning into a much larger and more complicated trade.

The biggest piece of the deal remains Marchenko, who is headed to Toronto and is expected to sign a contract extension with the Maple Leafs. Matthew Knies is confirmed to be going the other way to Columbus, while goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has now also been confirmed as part of the trade. Beyond those three players, however, there are still details that have yet to be finalized publicly.

And that is where things get particularly interesting.

There is also speculation that Toronto goaltender Anthony Stolarz could be involved in the trade, although that has not been confirmed. For now, the safest way to describe the deal is Marchenko, Knies and Merzlikins, with the possibility that additional players could be added before everything is officially announced.

The complicated nature of the trade shouldn't come as a complete surprise. Elliotte Friedman reported Monday that Columbus was looking for interested teams to take on additional contracts alongside Marchenko. Friedman specifically raised the possibility of the Blue Jackets asking a team to take back a player such as Miles Wood, Dmitri Voronkov or Merzlikins as part of the overall transaction.

Merzlikins makes particular sense in that context. The veteran goaltender has been dealing with a shoulder injury and was placed on injured reserve by Columbus on September 25. The Blue Jackets also announced earlier this summer that Merzlikins underwent surgery.

For Marchenko, meanwhile, this represents the biggest move of his NHL career.

Columbus selected the Russian winger 49th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, but Marchenko remained in Russia for several seasons before eventually making his NHL debut during the 2022-23 campaign. He quickly established himself as a legitimate goal scorer, posting 21 goals in just 59 games as a rookie.

Marchenko followed that up with 23 goals and 42 points in 2023-24 before breaking out with 31 goals and 74 points in 79 games during the 2024-25 season. He continued to produce at a high level last season, recording 27 goals and 67 points in 76 games.

That production is exactly what Toronto is betting on.

The Maple Leafs aren't simply acquiring Marchenko as a rental. The fact that an extension is expected to accompany the trade indicates that Toronto sees the 26-year-old winger as a long-term part of its forward group.

For Columbus, the centerpiece of the return is Knies. The 23-year-old has developed into an important part of the Maple Leafs and is coming off a 66-point season. He also brings size, physicality and versatility to a Blue Jackets team that is continuing to build around a young core.

Then there is Merzlikins.

The goaltender's inclusion adds another layer to the transaction and could explain why this trade has become significantly more complicated than the original Marchenko-for-Knies framework. If Stolarz is also eventually confirmed as part of the deal, the goaltending component could become one of the most fascinating aspects of the entire transaction.

For now, though, there is still a little mystery left.

Kirill Marchenko is going to Toronto. Matthew Knies is going to Columbus. Elvis Merzlikins is also going to Toronto. Those are the pieces we know for sure.

Everything else — including the possibility of Anthony Stolarz being involved — remains to be confirmed.

And considering the trade deadline for teams to finalize their opening-night rosters is rapidly approaching, it shouldn't be long before the rest of this blockbuster finally comes into focus.