Blue Jackets make a blockbuster trade with the Maple Leafs

We did not have to wait long for the Kirill Marchenko saga to come to an end. The Blue Jackets dealt the disgruntled winger to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday, acquiring winger Matthew Knies in a blockbuster trade.

After Marchenko balked at signing an extension this summer, it was publicly reported at the NHL Draft via his agent that he would not sign another contract to play in Columbus beyond this season. With head coach Rick Bowness vowing to change the team's culture, GM Don Waddell opted to rip the band-aid off and make a move before the regular season got under way.

Marchenko immediately signed a 6-year, $12.5m per year extension with the Leafs, proving that he was ready to sign long-term, but Columbus was definitely the issue. Whether it was the comments made by Bowness at the end of last season that upset him, or something else entirely; clearly this player was ready to move on.

The Jackets also send goaltender Elvis Merzlikins away in this deal, freeing up cap space and making all of the money work. We figured that he may have played his last game in Columbus-an idea that became more prevalent as he listed his New Albany home for sale last week.

I would expect the Leafs to place Elvis on LTIR immediately, burying his cap hit for this season and allowing him to sign a bonus-laden contract next summer. As part of the trade, the Blue Jackets will retain 18% of Elvis' salary:

Also heading to Toronto is winger Miles Wood, who cleared waivers over the weekend. This one is a pure salary dump.

Don Waddell did the best he could.

In return, the centerpiece the Jackets get is Matthew Knies, a player often rumored in trade ideas from the Leafs over the last couple of seasons. At 6'3" and 232 pounds, it's very obvious what he brings to the table. He's a big, heavy winger that can play a complimentary role on the top line.

I don't expect him to be a 1-for-1 swap of Marchenko on a sheer talent scale, but with his back against the wall, Waddell likely did not have a better player dangled in front of him for Marchenko.

Perhaps most important for the Blue Jackets, Knies is signed for the next five seasons at a cap hit of $7.75 million dollars. Very palatable money for a guy who should be able to put up 20-30 goals, and 50-60 points alongside Adam Fantilli on the top line.

Also coming the other way are depth winger Steven Lorentz, defenseman Emil Andrae, and a 2nd round pick. Lorentz is currently assigned to the AHL, with two seasons left on his contract. Of note, he previously played under Waddell with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Andrae is a fascinating piece. He was traded to the Leafs from Philadelphia last season, but has been a bit of an analytical darling. It will be interesting to see if he can find his way in Columbus.

While the Blue Jackets almost certainly traded away the best player in this deal, they get a little bit younger, gain some stability, and don't take a big step backwards in their current roster build. Pretty tidy work by Don Waddell, all things considered.

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