Kirill Marchenko agrees six-year, $75 million deal with Toronto

Kirill Marchenko has agreed a six-year contract worth $75 million with Toronto after a trade from Columbus, his agent Dan Milstein said. The deal carries an average annual value of $12.5 million and takes effect from the 2027/28 season.

The trade itself is a multi-player package. Toronto sends forwards Matthew Knies and Steven Lorentz, defenceman Emil Andrae and a 2027 second-round pick to Columbus. In return the Maple Leafs get Marchenko, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and forward Miles Wood. Columbus will retain 18% of Merzlikins' salary.

Marchenko, 26, has played for Columbus since 2022. He had a career-best campaign in 2025/26, putting up 67 points (27 goals, 40 assists) in 76 games. His existing deal with the Blue Jackets, worth $3.85 million a season, still had a year to run.

Knies scored 66 points (23+43) in 79 games last season and is signed through 2030/31 at a $7.75 million cap hit. Merzlikins posted an.882 save percentage and a 3.40 goals-against average across 30 appearances, with his contract running to the end of 2026/27. Lorentz (18 points in 71 games, $1.35 million cap hit) and Wood (14 points in 54 games, $2.5 million) round out the group heading to Toronto and Columbus respectively, alongside Andrae, who had 13 points in 61 games on a deal worth $1.55 million.

Toronto now carries a forward who has produced back-to-back strong scoring seasons on a long-term ticket, while Columbus adds cap-relief pieces and draft capital as it reshapes its forward corps.