Chayka explains Leafs’ Marchenko trade and apologizes to Knies
Toronto’s GM said the club paid for elite talent, acknowledged the rumours around Knies and hopes Marchenko can play in the opener.
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka said Tuesday that acquiring Kirill Marchenko was worth the cost of trading Matthew Knies. “Ten dimes doesn't equal a dollar,” he said while explaining why Toronto pursued what he called elite talent, according to Sportsnet’s account of his remarks.
Chayka described Marchenko as a right-shot player whose size, scoring and playmaking give Toronto more options. The clubs announced Monday that the Leafs acquired Marchenko, Miles Wood and Elvis Merzļikins from Columbus for Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a conditional second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. Columbus is retaining 18 per cent of Merzļikins’ salary.
Chayka also said he had apologized to Knies for months of trade rumours. He said this was the only trade Toronto’s management group seriously considered and that Knies handled the news professionally.
Toronto hopes Marchenko can play in Tuesday’s season opener against Montreal, but his immigration paperwork was still being resolved when Chayka spoke. Marchenko will wear No. 86, Sportsnet reported.
