8 Details We’re Learning About the Marchenko Trade to the Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka met with the media Tuesday to discuss the trade that sent Matthew Knies to Columbus in exchange for Kirill Marchenko. He called the deal complicated and credited the Blue Jackets for seeing it through, saying it required giving up quality to get quality.

As the trade nears being 24 hours old, there is plenty we’re learning about the deal:

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1. Marchenko’s Agent Was Tough, But Fair

He also credited Marchenko’s agent, Dan Milstein, for being direct throughout the process. He noted that he knew what he wanted, but remained fair in their negotiations. Marchenko signed a six-year deal worth $12.5 million per season. It was an expensive contract but Chayka said they could make it work.

Milstein was aware of what the market was commanding for players like Marchenko and the Leafs were so keen on adding him that they had not issues with the money and term.

2. Maple Leafs Wanted a Gamechanger

Chayka explained his thinking on Marchenko directly. He said there are very few players in the league who can single-handedly dictate a game, and the Maple Leafs believe Marchenko is one of them. He pointed to Marchenko’s combination of size and skill, his ability to be a dual threat who both sets up and scores goals, and his right-handed shot, which gives Toronto more options on the power play and in the offensive zone. Chayka added that locking up a player entering his prime years made the price worth it.

3. Knies Took It Well

When asked how Matthew Knies took the news, Chayka said he apologized to Knies for all the trade noise that surrounded the forward. Otherwise, he took it well, was very professional, and Chayka believes Knies is going to a good young team.

There was some chatter that Knies was frustrated prior to the trade with all the talk that surrounded him being traded. Elliotte Friedman reported, “Teammates believed he was annoyed at the speculation, that he had enough of it.” Knies told Don Waddell, “Not entirely surprised. I feel like it’s kinda been hanging over my head for a little bit here… one day before opening day, I was pretty shocked.”

4. Leafs Not Worried About Marchenko’s Physicality

On Knies, Chayka was complimentary, calling him a great player, but said his focus was on what Toronto gained rather than what it gave up. The knock on the trade was that the Leafs gave up size and physicality, but Chayka believes Marchenko brings a big body who can protect pucks and get to the net.

Following rumors that Marchenko was the player Columbus was upset with for showing up to camp out of shape, Kirill Marchenko’s agent, Dan Milstein, says there’s absolutely no truth to reports. It’s quite the opposite, adding that “He works his butt off… he’s very serious. He works with Adam Oates and the other 86 in Tampa, Nikita Kucherov. He is a true professional, and Kirill is all about hockey.”

5. Merzlikins Waived His No-Trade

As for pieces heading to Columbus, Chayka confirmed goaltender Elvis Merzlikins will go on long-term injured reserve, with a four-to-six month recovery timeline following surgery, and that the team will work with his staff to make sure he gets proper rehab. Merzlikins wants to rehab back in Switzerland over the coming months where he has a home. Sounds like the Leafs don’t have an issue with that. Pierre LeBrun also noted that Toronto was on Merzlikins’ no-move list (10 teams) so he had to waive and certainly didn’t hesitate in doing so.

6. Miles Wood Won’t Join the Maple Leafs Immediately

He also addressed forward Miles Wood, noting the team still needs to finalize his immigration paperwork. He will remain with the Toronto Marlies for now and hopefully get a chance to work his way back up to the NHL.

Wood and Emil Andrae were both part of the trade to make the cap situations work for this and next season.

7. Maple Leafs Open to More Moves

Chayka closed by saying the front office believes in consolidating assets and remains open to further moves if something becomes available that improves the team, adding that ownership has fully supported the spending.

8. Flames Were Involved in Marchenko Trade Talks

Eric Francis of Sportsnet reports, “The Calgary Flames were involved in the Kirill Marchenko trade talks. Not with an eye on landing the big winger, but as a third party hoping to snag a draft pick in exchange for cap relief. Craig Conroy will continue to search for creative ways to keep adding to his young group.

Next: Big Plans in Toronto Might Have Changed Thanks to the Marchenko Trade