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Waddell Masterclass: Losing Marchenko Hurts, But The Blue Jackets Franchise Is Better Off After Monday’s Blockbuster

Losing Kirill Marchenko hurts, but the trade made by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday was a monumental victory for the franchise.

By Ed Francis · 1st Ohio Battery

Published: Sunday, 18 October 2026 at 10:30 PM

Key Things to Know

Columbus and Toronto completed a permanent six-player trade involving Kirill Marchenko and Matthew Knies.
The Blue Jackets acquired Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, and defenseman Emil Andrae.
Columbus sent Kirill Marchenko, Miles Wood, and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins to the Maple Leafs.

The Story in 60 Seconds

The Columbus Blue Jackets completed a permanent six-player blockbuster trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. Columbus sent forwards Kirill Marchenko and Miles Wood, along with goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, to Toronto in exchange for forwards Matthew Knies and Steven Lorentz, plus defenseman Emil Andrae.

Prior to the move, Columbus had waived Wood, while Merzlikins remained sidelined indefinitely after undergoing late-summer shoulder surgery. Ahead of the trade, Toronto reportedly worked out a six-year contract extension with Marchenko featuring an average annual value of $12.5 million.

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