Marchenko's former teammate calls out 'nightmare' scenario, throws new Leafs forward under the bus

The offseason trade that sent Kirill Marchenko from Columbus to Toronto was one of the bigger storylines heading into the 2026-27 NHL season, and it clearly left some feelings behind in the Blue Jackets locker room. With the Maple Leafs rolling into Columbus for the first time since the blockbuster deal, one of Marchenko's former teammates didn't hold back when asked about the situation.

Adam Fantilli, the Blue Jackets' young center, was refreshingly blunt during Tuesday's morning skate ahead of the matchup with Toronto. When asked about Marchenko's trade request and eventual departure, Fantilli made it clear he took the whole ordeal personally and was relieved it got resolved before the season started.

"Happy we got guys who want to be here. It would have been a nightmare having a guy that didn't want to be here all year. I'm glad we got that trade done when we did," Fantilli told reporters.

A Trade That Still Stings in Columbus

Marchenko made his desire to leave Ohio known before the 2026-27 campaign, putting the Blue Jackets in an uncomfortable spot. General manager Don Waddell managed to work out a deal on the eve of the regular season, shipping Marchenko along with goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and forward Miles Wood to the Maple Leafs. In return, Columbus received Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, defenseman Emil Andrae, and a conditional 2027 second-round pick.

Fantilli admitted that it was "tough not to take it personally" when a teammate essentially says he doesn't want to play alongside you anymore. That kind of rejection, even when it's framed as a business decision, hits different in a locker room where guys go to battle together every night.

The results so far have been a mixed bag for both sides. Marchenko has thrived in Toronto, racking up four goals and six assists for 10 points through the Leafs' first 10 games, placing him third on the team in all three categories. Meanwhile, Knies burst onto the scene in Columbus with two goals and three points in his debut but has gone cold since, failing to register a point in his last five outings. The Blue Jackets entered Tuesday's game at 3-4-0, sitting in the Metropolitan Division basement.

Bigger Picture Around the League

Fantilli's candid remarks carry extra weight when you consider the broader landscape of disgruntled players across the NHL right now. Connor Hellebuyck's unpaid suspension with the Winnipeg Jets is set to end Friday, creating an awkward reunion scenario. Jets captain Adam Lowry acknowledged over the weekend that conversations would need to happen and that it would be a "water under the bridge" type of situation.

Over in Detroit, Dylan Larkin continues to play for the Red Wings despite having his captaincy stripped amid an unresolved trade request. Larkin has managed just three points in six games as Detroit languishes at the bottom of the Atlantic Division with a 3-3-2 record.

It's also worth noting that Marchenko wasn't the only Blue Jacket who wanted out this past summer. Star defenseman and Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski also requested a trade before ultimately walking back his demand and committing to the franchise long-term. Fantilli's pointed comments about wanting teammates who actually want to be in Columbus take on an even more interesting dimension when you factor in Werenski's situation.

As the Leafs and Blue Jackets faced off Tuesday night, it was clear that the emotions surrounding this trade haven't faded. For Fantilli and the rest of the Columbus roster, the message is simple: they'd rather build with players who are all in than deal with the distraction of someone counting down the days until they're gone.