NHL Notebook: Blue Jackets send Marchenko to Maple Leafs for Knies in six-player blockbuster

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired forwards Kirill Marchenko and Miles Wood, along with goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a permanent six-player trade. In return, Columbus received forwards Matthew Knies and Steven Lorentz, defenseman Emil Andrae, and a conditional 2027 second-round draft pick just ahead of the NHL opening night roster deadline.

As part of the transaction, Columbus retained 18 percent ($972,000) of Merzlikins' contract for the final year. Following the move, Marchenko signed a six-year contract extension with Toronto carrying a $12.5 million average annual value.