Maple Leafs acquire Marchenko in six-player trade

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired forward Kirill Marchenko from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a six-player trade on September 28, then agreed to a six-year, US$75 million contract extension with him, according to an announcement by his agent. The deal sends Marchenko, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and forward Miles Wood to Toronto. Columbus receives forward Matthew Knies, centre Steven Lorentz, defenseman Emil Andrae and a second-round draft pick. The pick’s year was not specified consistently in the reports. The trade gives Toronto a new top-six scoring option while sending Knies, a 23-year-old forward, to Columbus. Marchenko, 26, had 67 points, including 27 goals and 40 assists, in 76 games for the Blue Jackets last season. Knies recorded 66 points, with 23 goals and 43 assists, in 79 games, according to reported season statistics. The extension, announced by Marchenko’s agent, Dan Milstein, carries an average annual value of US$12.5 million. Marchenko had been set to enter the final season of his existing contract, which carried an average annual value of about US$3.85 million.