A recent report indicates that the Toronto Maple Leafs could be involved in the list of many teams that are making an effort to acquire Columbus Blue Jackets right winger Kirill Marchenko.
Kirill Marchenko has made some noise in the NHL rumor mill this off-season, and that hasn't changed in the lead-up to the 2026-27 season.
The Russian right winger doesn't appear to be all in on being with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and so naturally, teams are interested in acquiring his services.
To that point, several teams are reportedly in the mix, and on Friday's episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman revealed that the Toronto Maple Leafs are involved one way or another.
"Toronto has really tried to keep their interest secret, but it's kind of seeped out," Friedman reported.
Marchenko, 26, is entering the final year of his three-year contract. He costs just $3.85 million against the salary cap. Following this season, he will be an RFA with arbitration rights.
His cap hit is not only attractive based on the increase of the NHL's salary cap, but also the type of player he's been for Columbus since signing that deal.
In 2024-25, Marchenko set career-highs across the board with 31 goals, 43 assists and 74 points in 79 games. Last season, his production dipped slightly, but he still had a good campaign, putting up 27 goals and 67 points for the Blue Jackets.
Marchenko is a big, 6-foot-3, 201-pound player who can play on either wing. He would immediately be a top-six player on the Maple Leafs, but of course, to make a deal happen, roster players would have to go Columbus' way if Toronto wanted ot acquire Marchenko.
Friedman added that the Blue Jackets aren't looking for futures in exchange for Marchenko, and they want to remain a competitive team.
He also added that there are a number of other teams linked to Marchenko. Teams that were mentioned include the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, the Winnipeg Jets were in it at one point, the Boston Bruins made an offer, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Seattle Kraken, possibly based on their recent attempts at bringing in big-name talents.
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