COLUMBUS — The Blue Jackets made one of the biggest moves of the NHL offseason Monday, trading Kirill Marchenko, Elvis Merzlikins, and Miles Wood to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a deal headlined by forward Matthew Knies coming to Columbus.
The Blue Jackets also acquired defenseman Emil Andrae, forward Steven Lorentz, and a conditional second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. Columbus will retain 18 percent of Merzlikins’ salary as part of the deal.
Marchenko was the biggest name leaving Columbus. The 26-year-old winger finished last season with 27 goals, 40 assists, and 67 points in 76 games, leading the Blue Jackets in goals while finishing second on the team in assists and points. He had also made it clear he did not intend to sign another contract with Columbus beyond this season, leaving general manager Don Waddell with a major decision before the regular season began.
Toronto quickly committed to Marchenko, signing him to a six-year, $75 million extension worth $12.5 million annually.
Knies becomes the centerpiece of the return for Columbus. The 23-year-old power forward recorded 23 goals and 43 assists for 66 points in 79 games last season. At 6-foot-2 and 232 pounds, he gives the Blue Jackets a physical, net-front presence who could fit naturally alongside Adam Fantilli in the top six.
Andrae, 24, adds another young option on defense, while Lorentz provides organizational depth and size up front. The second-round pick will be the later of Winnipeg’s or Columbus’ selections in the 2027 draft.
The trade also ends Merzlikins’ seven-year run with the Blue Jackets. The 32-year-old goaltender went 14-11-3 last season with a 3.40 goals-against average and an .883 save percentage in 30 games. Wood, meanwhile, scored eight goals and added six assists in 54 games during his only season in Columbus.
The Blue Jackets are giving up the most established offensive player in the deal, but they also gain a younger forward under long-term control, add defensive depth, create additional flexibility, and avoid entering the season with Marchenko’s future hanging over the organization.
It is a massive change only days before Columbus opens the regular season Thursday against Buffalo at Nationwide Arena.
Now the focus shifts to whether Knies can become a long-term piece of a core that already includes Fantilli and Zach Werenski, and whether this team can gel with so many new faces.
