TORONTO — The Maple Leafs held an optional skate at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday.
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The Leafs believe Kirill Marchenko will be a big difference maker in their quest to return to Stanley Cup contention.
“There’s a lot of good players in the NHL,” general manager John Chayka said. “Very few that can impact winning and can single-handedly dictate outcomes of games and we believe that Kirill is one of those players for us.”
Toronto acquired the winger from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday afternoon in a deal that saw winger Matthew Knies heading to the Ohio capital.
Marchenko led the Blue Jackets in goals in each of the past three seasons. He produced 27 goals and 67 points in 64 games last season.
According to agent Dan Milstein, Marchenko has agreed to terms on a six year, $75-million contract extension with Leafs, carrying an average annual value of $12.5 million.
“Just a unique, unique player,” Chayka said. “Obviously a combination of size and skill. You know, his ability to be a dual threat, make plays and score goals. The right shot, honestly, balanced out some of the handedness for us and just gave us different options in the power play throughout the offensive zone, hopefully. And get the top scorer on a team in his prime, be able to lock him up through those prime years at a number that we think is effective for us. Put that all together, we thought it was a special opportunity.”
Marchenko, who carries a $3.85-million cap hit this season, was due to become a restricted free agent at the end of this season and had let Columbus know he was not planning to sign an extension with them.
The Leafs believe the 26-year-old will be able to reach a new level in Toronto where he would seem to be a perfect linemate for centre Auston Matthews.
“With the centre group we have, some of the linemates we think we can match him with, and the situation we can put them in here, we think there’s more upside,” Chayka said.
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Jim Hiller has made skating hard both ways a staple of his system in Toronto and he believes Marchenko will be a good fit.
“Tremendous skater,” the head coach raved. “And he skates very well with the puck. A lot of times a player can skate really well, they get the puck and they slow down a little bit, he’s one of those guys that seems to accelerate with the puck. I know he loves having the puck.”
Marchenko’s speed is all the more impressive when you consider his 6-foot-3, 201-pound frame.
“I think he’s a lot bigger than people think,” observed defenceman Chris Tanev. “Very fast and very big and strong. He’s a handful for sure.”
Leafs winger Jack Roslovic also played with Marchenko in Columbus and came away impressed with his off-ice habits.
“His work ethic is really impressive,” Roslovic said. “I mention that with all the great players, I think he’s one of those. I think being in a smaller market, you don’t really get the eyes like you guys. You guys can make the decision for yourself, but I believe in him. I like him as a guy, and he’s got skill.”
Despite the quick turnaround, Marchenko is expected to make his Leafs debut in Tuesday’s season opener against the Montreal Canadiens.
Marchenko has not spoken to the media since the trade.
“He says he’s nervous,” Roslovic relayed. “And I’m sure he’s a little bit nervous. But I know him, [he] will be good.”
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The trade happened only a couple days after the Leafs returned from a bonding trip in Knies’ home state of Arizona.
“It can be sh--ty business, right?” said Tanev. “He’s a great guy and very good player, so Columbus is getting a horse with him, and a good person, good player. Obviously he’ll be missed here. It’s a sh--ty part of the business, but we’re welcoming in an amazing player that I’ve heard nothing but great things about.”
Knies had heard his name in trade rumours consistently since the deadline last season.
“Yeah, look, I apologized to him for the noise over the last several months,” Chayka said. “I don’t think it was necessarily fair to him. This was the only thing we seriously considered as a management group. These things happen. He understands ... He’s a professional athlete and he’s a smart kid. But he took the news well. It’s a good, young team he’s going to. I think it’s a good fit for him. I think he’ll do well.”
The Jackets also received winger Steven Lorentz, who recently cleared waivers, defenceman Emil Andrae, and a second-round pick in 2027 as part of the deal.
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The Leafs also received winger Miles Wood and goalie Elvis Merzļikins in the trade.
Wood recently cleared waivers and will start with the Marlies in the American Hockey League.
“Lots of speed, grit, simple player, can forecheck, can penalty kill,” Chayka said. “So a lot of good attributes. He’s going to go down to Marlies ... and get a chance to earn his way back up. But when he’s on and he’s healthy, which I don’t think he has been the last few years, we think he can contribute.”
Merzļikins underwent shoulder surgery in August and will start the season on long-term injured reserve.
“The prognosis is four to six months,” Chayka said. “I think he’s, give or take, a month into his procedure. We’ll continue to work with him and his staff to make sure he’s getting the right rehab and we’re hopeful he can make return.”
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The blockbuster trade has allowed first-overall pick Gavin McKenna to fly somewhat under the radar ahead of his NHL debut. In an unusual move for a rookie, the 18-year-old left winger did not take the ice for the team’s optional morning skate.
“He’s got some swag,” said Tanev with a smile.
Instead of joining Tanev and 11 other teammates on the ice, McKenna visited with family members in the stands. He looked as relaxed as could be.
“I actually thought it was great,” said Hiller. “I really did, because that’s an optional skate. It’s optional if you think you need it to get ready to play tonight. And when I heard he didn’t go out, it didn’t surprise me. He just has that way. He knows who he is. He knows what he has to do. And I think how he’s adapted in a short amount of time just speaks to who he is and the confidence that he has in himself.”
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With Marchenko in the lineup, the Leafs will have 10 players dressing who were not part of the team last year.
“What I’ve been told is that trip to Arizona was worth its weight in gold,” Hiller noted. “The night that they had together with Auston at his house really cemented kind of an early foundation for them. So, I think we’re good that way.”
Matthews, who is from Scottsdale, Ariz., hosted the players at his house last Thursday after they landed.
The vibes are certainly good off the ice, but on the ice chemistry will likely be a work in progress early in the season.
“Yeah, well, I mean, we’ll see, right?” Hiller said. “We liked how we played our last [pre-season games], both in Ottawa and at home. So that was a step for us. But there’s no doubt. It might take some time. Well, it will take some time. But I’m confident that at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later, we’ll be tight and we’ll play together.”
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Attendance at Leafs optional skate on Tuesday:
Blueger
Cowan
MacEwenGroulx
Paul
Roslovic
Sissons
Blankenburg
Stecher
Tanev
BobrovskyStolarz
