Fantilli glad Marchenko trade ended uncertainty before season
The Blue Jackets centre says Columbus avoided a difficult season with an unhappy teammate as Toronto visits Tuesday.
Adam Fantilli says the Columbus Blue Jackets benefited from settling Kirill Marchenko’s future before the season began. He spoke Tuesday ahead of Marchenko’s return to Columbus with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“It would have been a nightmare having a guy that didn’t want to be here all year,” Fantilli said, according to Sportsnet. He said he was happy Columbus had players who wanted to stay and was glad the trade had been completed when it was.
Toronto acquired Marchenko before the season in a deal that sent Matthew Knies to Columbus. NHL.com reported at the time that former teammates and coach Rick Bowness welcomed an end to the uncertainty around Marchenko’s future.
Tuesday’s game begins at 7 p.m. ET. Columbus enters at 3-4-0, while Marchenko has four goals and 10 points in 10 games for Toronto, according to CBS Sports.
