Ahead of Opening Night for the 2026-27 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets handled some business on Monday.
Forward Kirill Marchenko was acquired by the Maple Leafs from the Blue Jackets for a package that most notably includes Matthew Knies, the teams announced on Monday.
The trade sees both headlining players leaving the only NHL clubs they have ever known.
Toronto also received forward Miles Wood and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (with some salary retained), while forward Steven Lorentz, defenceman Emil Andrae and a second-round pick additionally head to Columbus.
Columbus was forced to find a trade partner for Marchenko after he previously indicated he did not intend to re-sign with the team when his contract expired next summer.
The 26-year-old signed a six-year contract extension with the Maple Leafs as part of Monday's deal, carrying a $12.5 million AAV.
Meanwhile, Knies, 23, had been the subject of trade rumours and speculation about his future since the trade deadline this past March, despite signing a six-year deal with a $7.75 million AAV last off-season.
Here is a look at some of the reactions to the trade on social media.
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