Johnston on the Knies and Marchenko blockbuster trade, Knies' departure from Toronto and the role with the Maple Leafs
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What players and draft picks are included in the Maple Leafs–Blue Jackets trade?
It's done apparently. Okay, we got CJ on the line. Yeah, let's see what it was.
Yeah, making him. Here's Chris Johnson, our TSN hockey insider, joining us here on the Maple Toyota Hotline. Um CJ, let me read this out because I'm sure you have it, but it's Matthew Nye, Steven Lorenz, Emile Andre. So Andre goes from Philly to Toronto and now he is on his way to Columbus. And a second, I believe, for Marchenko, Miles Wood, and Mrzlikin. Ms Leikins and some retained salary. Is that that correct, CJ? That's what it sounds like.
Yeah, that sounds right. And and you know, something to keep in mind, I mean, obviously this is mainly built around Nice and Marchenko from evaluating the the players here, but but you know, the Ju Blue Jackets did have some cap challenges. The Leafs are at the roster limit in terms of the number of contracts they have, so you know, it ended up being a little more complex to make all the the numbers fit and work uh in this trade.
Interesting. Okay. So um in terms of the League's pursuit of Marchenko, how how long has this been going on and and why did it push across the line today?
Why did the Maple Leafs pursue Kirill Marchenko before the season?
Well, I think the the roster deadline that just passed at five o'clock was a big driver because, you know, the the Blue Jackets did need some flexibility. They get that by, you know, including Merslikins and Miles Wood in the deal. And, you know, my understanding is the Leafs were pretty aggressive here in their pursuit of Marchenko. You know, the the Blue Jackets were at one point um committed to to having him play out the year. He did have one year remaining on his deal. Uh he was restricted free. Agent to be next summer. Obviously that's off the books now because the Leafs have extended them to a six year contract as part of this trade. But you know, I think Toronto saw an opportunity to to get what they believe is a real upgrade for their top line, someone that I would expect is going to slot in right alongside Austin Matthews.
And and you know, I think they upped their pursuit to to make it happen. And you know, at at the end of the day, the blue jackets I think got to a point where they were maybe a little concerned about, you know, what what would happen with Marchenko so openly not wanting to be there. Um, you know, that that maybe keeping him around might have some some counter effects and obviously the ability to get a player that slots right in their own lineup right now with Matthew Nice, you know, ultimately that uh that got it across the line.
CJ, who do you believe, because most organizations, when you look at Matthew Nice, they'd be saying, Oh, we got a twenty-four-year-old kid here who's big, he can move, he can score, he's a potential thirty to thirty-five goal scorer. And now this is two different front offices that have kind of looked at this guy and now finally made the assessment that he would be exiting the door.
Why did Toronto decide to trade Matthew Knies for Marchenko?
Who do you think was the first person to kind of pinpoint Matthew Nice and say We think he's a guy we're gonna move away from.
Well, it definitely started with the previous front office. I mean, they they were reasonably close to to moving 'em at the trade deadline. I think at that point in time, you know, it's amazing to think how much has changed even since early March for the Leafs. You know, winning uh the the draft lottery with McKenna has changed some things, but at that point in time they were focused on trying to restock the cupboards and you know, explored whether that was a way to get it done. You know, maybe then that kept the ball rolling. I I think you know, all Ultimately what the Leafs view this as though it's not so much just about getting rid of Matthew Nyes. It's about you know adding you know a player that they feel is good is gonna be better.
And you know, obviously sometimes in trades you gotta trade good players uh to to to get back a a good player. And and you know, I think one of the concerns with Nice maybe is that he wasn't uh a play driver in certainly the same way it looks like Marchenko is. Uh Marchenko brings a little bit more speed.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What players and draft picks are included in the Maple Leafs–Blue Jackets trade?
0:00–1:12
2
Why did the Maple Leafs pursue Kirill Marchenko before the season?
1:12–2:40
3
Why did Toronto decide to trade Matthew Knies for Marchenko?
2:40–4:10
4
How could Kirill Marchenko fit alongside Auston Matthews?
4:10–5:32
5
Was Matthew Knies traded because of a conflict with the Maple Leafs?
5:32–6:58
6
How does Marchenko’s six-year contract fit the NHL salary cap?
6:58–9:10
7
What roles could Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins have in Toronto?
9:10–11:15
8
Will Kirill Marchenko play right away, and why did Toronto beat Montreal to the trade?
11:15–12:57
Speakers
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