Following a down-to-the-wire paperwork scramble, Kirill Marchenko has officially received the green light to skate in the Maple Leafs' lineup tonight.
Report: Kirill Marchenko Receives Paperwork To Make Maple Leafs Debut In Season Opener Against Canadiens
Kirill Marchenko will make his Maple Leafs debut tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, according to Sportnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
The 26-year-old winger’s status had been the last unresolved item after Monday’s blockbuster with Columbus. At issue was whether immigration could finish his work visa one day after the deal closed on the eve of opening night. General manager John Chayka said Tuesday morning the goal was to have him available and that it was “up to immigration at this point.”
It seems to be all clear now.
The six-player trade sent Marchenko, Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins (18 percent of his $5.4 million salary retained) to Toronto. Columbus received Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a 2027 second-round pick. As part of the talks, Marchenko and agent Dan Milstein agreed to a six-year, $75 million extension ($12.5 million AAV) that begins in 2027-28. He remains on his $3.85 million deal this season.
Marchenko led the Blue Jackets in goals three straight years. He had 27 goals and 67 points in 76 games last season and owns 102 goals and 208 points in 292 NHL games after being drafted 49th overall in 2018. Chayka called him a unique talent with size, skill and a right shot the Leafs lacked up front, and said the chance to lock up a prime-age scorer was a “special opportunity” even if it meant moving a popular young forward in Knies.
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