The Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets are discussing a trade to swap Matthew Knies for Kirill Marchenko, along with other pieces, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.
The Maple Leafs are reportedly negotiating an extension for Marchenko as part of the deal. He's a restricted free agent next summer and was recently noncommittal about signing a new deal in Columbus after reports surfaced over the summer that he wanted out.
The 26-year-old winger is set to earn $3.85 million this season but will likely receive a significant raise on his next deal after notching 58 goals and 141 points in 155 games over the past two campaigns.
Knies, 23, is signed through 2031 at a cap hit of $7.75 million. He recorded a career-high 66 points last season in a top-six role with Toronto. The Maple Leafs reportedly nearly traded him to the Montreal Canadiens at last season's deadline, and his name was prominent in trade rumors throughout the summer.
The Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets are currently over the salary cap limit, according to PuckPedia. Teams across the NHL must submit compliant 23-man rosters by 5 p.m. ET on Monday.
The regular season begins Tuesday, with the Maple Leafs facing the Montreal Canadiens as part of the opening-night slate.
