NHL Trade Talk: The Podcast – Ep. 37: Marchenko for Knies, Edvinsson Drama, Oilers Injuries…

On this week’s episode of NHL Trade Talk: The Podcast, the crew digs into the Kirill Marchenko trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs and why the Leafs decided to trade Matthew Knies. Was there more going on than meets the eye? Why trade such a solid core piece? Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers are dealing with injuries and more goaltending trouble, allowing 13 goals in two games vs. the lowly Canucks. What will they do? The Anaheim Ducks signed Tristan Luneau to a wild contract, and what’s the latest on Simon Edvinsson?

Marchenko for Knies Trade:

Less than 24 hours before the new season, Columbus sent Kirill Marchenko, Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins to Toronto for Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a conditional 2027 second-round pick. Marchenko is 26, and he was traded as part of a six-player deal and signed a six-year contract. For Toronto, the appeal is that his numbers are expected to rise playing alongside Auston Matthews.

However, the Leafs had to give up Knies, who was already signed at $7.75 million per year. Columbus gets Knies for $4.75M less per season than Marchenko. Who won this trade?

Edvinsson Drama

Simon Edvinsson remains unsigned with the Detroit Red Wings defenseman. He’s a restricted free agent without a contract who returned to Sweden and is training with Frölunda of the SHL. That’s unusual because he first showed up to camp as an unsigned RFA.

Without a contract, he can’t take part in team activities. Reports suggest Detroit prefers a shorter bridge deal, but neither side has publicly confirmed that. His asking price for a long-term deal is believed to start around $9-$10 million per season. Interim GM Shawn Horcoff says he remains a priority and that Detroit didn’t expect him to go back to Sweden. As an RFA, Detroit still controls his NHL rights. The Red Wings open their season Friday without him, and it’s piled onto an already messy offseason with no permanent GM or captain, and Dylan Larkin still on the team after requesting a trade.

Oilers Injuries

Edmonton has had a rough start. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is out. Zach Hyman is also hurt: he’s expected to miss about two weeks after getting hurt in the final preseason game, though he still played in the opener. Frederik Andersen, Jason Dickinson, and Matt Savoie are out too.

How will the Oilers manage?

Massive Contract Bet in Anaheim

Tristan Luneau, a 22-year-old defenseman, just signed with the Ducks. It’s a massive six-year, $43.2 million extension after just 14 NHL appearances. The deal carries a $7.2 million AAV, and it runs from 2027-28 through 2032-33, so it kicks in after his current contract.

Insider Elliotte Friedman noted it’s believed to be the largest contract in NHL history for a player with only 14 games of experience. GM Pat Verbeek is betting that Luneau becomes a top-four defenseman quickly. Luneau’s agent said the number was well beyond what anyone expected, and there was no real comparable contract.

Was this an overreaction or a wise bet?

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