The Blue Jackets are reportedly close to trading Kirill Marchenko, their leading goal scorer, and goalie Elvis Merzlikins to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for young power forward Matthiew Knies and potentially other assets.
According to reports by Sportsnet and The Athletic, the Jackets and Maple Leafs are deep into discussions on a trade, including Toronto's front office discussing a potential contract extension with Marchenko's agent as part of the deal.
The proposed Leafs-Blue Jackets trade involves multiple pieces, including Knies and Marchenko, and it's not a done deal yet. Both teams still working through things. Plus Leafs negotiating with Marchenko's agent
Dan Milstein.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 28, 2026
Marchenko, 26, has either led or co-led the Blue Jackets in goals the past three seasons and plays on their top forward line.
Also: it sounds like Columbus gave Toronto permission to speak to Marchenko about an extension.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 28, 2026
Not sure how final deal will look. The teams discussed other players as Blue Jackets try to alleviate cap crunch.
League-wide opening-night cap-compliant roster deadline is 5 pm ET
Marchenko's agent, Dan Milstein, made it clear during the 2026 NHL Draft that Marchenko doesn't plan to sign long-term in Columbus, prompting a slew of calls from GMs around the NHL to Blue Jackets president/general manager Don Waddell.
The Montreal Canadiens were thought to be the favorite, but their longtime rivals, the Maple Leafs, appear close to pulling it off.
Dispatch Blue Jackets/Crew reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets reportedly close to trading Kirill Marchenko, Elvis Merzlikins
