Blue Jackets and Leafs in trade talks for Kirill Marchenko

Reporting timeline

1. First report2026-09-28 17:51 UTC

   Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC

   There is word this afternoon the Columbus Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs are deep in discussions on a trade involving Kirill Marchenko. More to come...

   Post

2. Corroborating report2026-09-28 17:56 UTC

   David Pagnotta @TheFourthPeriodPost

   Further to Elliotte's report, Marchenko's agent was given permission to talk money & negotiate an extension with teams. Talks advanced considerably with Leafs recently, and seems to be moving in that direction, though not yet done at this minute. https://t.co/VOJ9i4m7Ns

3. Corroborating report2026-09-28 18:00 UTC

   Chris Johnston @reporterchrisPost

   At this stage, there is no extension in place for Kirill Marchenko with the #leafs but those talks are expected to pick up this afternoon, per sources

4. Later report2026-09-28 18:04 UTC

   David Pagnotta @TheFourthPeriodPost

   A Columbus/Toronto trade is not yet done, but if/when it is, a contract extension for Kirill Marchenko will follow. His agent, Dan Milstein, had permission to negotiate a deal with the Leafs.

5. Corroborating report2026-09-28 18:06 UTC

   Pierre LeBrun @PierreVLeBrunPost

   Marchenko's agent Dan Milstein has permission to talk contract extension with the Leafs. Toronto needs to know what that looks like for obvious reasons. https://t.co/kGcB70hfGf

6. Later report from the original insider2026-09-28 18:06 UTC

   Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNICPost

   Also: it sounds like Columbus gave Toronto permission to speak to Marchenko about an extension. 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

7. Later report2026-09-28 18:26 UTC

   Pierre LeBrun @PierreVLeBrunPost

   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.

8. Later report2026-09-28 18:27 UTC

   David Pagnotta @TheFourthPeriodPost

   Columbus/Toronto are indeed finalizing a trade involving Matthew Knies and Kirill Marchenko, per sources.

9. Corroborating report2026-09-28 18:38 UTC

   Emily Kaplan @emilymkaplanPost

   As the Leafs and Blue Jackets work on a Kirill Marchenko trade (as @FriedgeHNIC first reported), hearing Matthew Knies would go to Columbus. Also, sounds like the trade will only go through with Marchenko agreeing to an extension in Toronto — which is being worked on now.