Blue Jackets and Maple Leafs in Talks Over Kirill Marchenko Trade
Columbus lets Toronto discuss an extension with the forward, who has one year left at $3.85m, as the Blue Jackets try to clear cap space before the opener.
Columbus Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs are in active talks over a trade for forward Kirill Marchenko, according to insider Elliotte Friedman.
Columbus has also given Toronto permission to discuss a contract extension with the player. Marchenko's deal, worth $3.85m a year, runs for one more season, after which he can become a restricted free agent.
Friedman wrote: "Word is that the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Toronto Maple Leafs are in active talks on a trade involving Kirill Marchenko. Columbus has given Toronto permission to discuss a contract extension with Marchenko. The terms remain unclear. The teams have discussed other players as well, because Columbus is trying to solve a cap space problem."
Marchenko played 76 games in the last regular season and scored 67 points (27 goals, 40 assists).
Columbus beat Detroit 4-2 in a pre-season game on Sunday, with Valeri Nichushkin scoring and adding an assist. The NHL season opens on 29 September.
If the cap problem is what drives the talks, this may mean Columbus moves Marchenko and other players before the opener, while Toronto gets a chance to lock in a 27-goal forward ahead of restricted free agency.
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