Lightning Morning News: A big trade on the eve of the new season

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets completed a major multi-player trade ahead of the new NHL season. Kirill Marchenko, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, and Miles Wood were sent to Toronto, while Columbus acquired Matthew Knies, Emil Andrae, Steven Lorentz, and a 2027 second-round pick. Following the deal, Marchenko signed a six-year, $75 million contract extension with Toronto carrying a $12.5 million annual cap hit.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning finalized their opening night roster by cutting 21-year-old forward Benjamin Rautiainen, who will return to Tappara in Finland. Tampa Bay opens its season on Thursday against the New York Rangers, with general manager Julien BriseBois expressing confidence that an extension will eventually be reached with pending unrestricted free agent Nikita Kucherov.