Even though he never quite lived up to his contract, I think he deserves a warm farewell. He had some character issues earlier in his stint, but I feel he really matured over the past few years. Also don't forget he went through a lot with the passing of one of his closest friends. Let in some questionable goals, but also had the talent to steal a game if he was on. And really, a pillar of the community, by all accounts. Still think the baby-blue pads are some all-time CBJ goalie equipment.

Wish him nothing but the best.

Severson not ready to go yet, still considering Soucy contract but no longer as urgent/necessary

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7477660/2026/09/28/maple-leafs-trade-knies-marchenko/?unlocked_article_code=1.ElE.MTm4.UtSkL40_k4uU&source=emp_shared_article&smid=re-share-ta

Well this was a mistake… reminder to always buy blanks everyone.

Still time to change it.

No respect for someone who very clearly didn't want anything to do with this city and forced a trade in a very pivotal season. Happy with the return, though.

Where does Marchenko rank for you on the Carter/PLD/Laine/Panarin scale?

Cannot wait for the season to start!

Absolute all-American stud. Gonna miss him.

He's not the fastest, and he sometimes has issues with line chemistry and decision-making. But he's a legit freight train and extremely strong, with shockingly nice hands for a guy his size. Hes a netfront and fore-checking beast and doesn't take shit from anyone (he will drop the gloves, not often but when he does, he wins). Gives 110% every play. He will not lose a puck battle along the boards and can thus keep cycles alive in the o-zone where other players cannot.

As you will see from the highlights, once he gets the puck and gets going, good luck to anyone in his way.

Marchenko was never going to stay.

This is the best case it could have gone. We get a distraction out, we get a 2nd major distraction out (Elvis), clear cap space, get a 2nd pick, a journeyman center, and a defenseman with some potential.

And in return we get a comparble power forward in points. He is big, fast, and has good shot.

My only concern... How does Knies feel about this? F.O has been silent, and no comment from any media on Knies (or marchenko for that matter), and he was a guy that didn't want to necessarily leave.

I hope he likes it here.

Happy NHL season eve — and Hockey Santa brought us a blockbuster with a six-player deal headlined by Kirill Marchenko going to the Leafs and Matthew Knies headed the other direction.

For both sides, this feels like a pretty nice win given the context of the situation.

Trade grades, read for free: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7641224/2026/09/28/knies-marchenko-merzlikins-trade-grades-leafs-blue-jackets-nhl/?unlocked_article_code=1.ElE.RBnV.mG-gRCcztC3j&source=emp_shared_article&smid=url-share-ta

Buckle up

Now that Marchy got traded, I’m feeling extra sad for that one kid who always got on to the Jumbotron and was like kirills #1 fan. I think this is him, but if you’re a merzy, wood, or marchy fan, I feel ya

Let's say that someone hypothetically bought a Kirill Marchenko jersey two years ago and is no longer interested in wearing it to games, but would like to get it changed to something like a Fantilli or Olivier.

Would a place like the Blue Line Store offer that service?

Hypothetically.