We anticipated some kind of roster news from the Blue Jackets yesterday. After all, it was the deadline for the team to get under the NHL's salary cap, and submit their final decisions before 5:00 Eastern time.
However, outside of a potential signing of a depth defenseman, coupled with some demotions... we had no clue what we were in for. That is, until Sportsnet's Elliote Friedman blew up the internet with this absolute bombshell:
There is word this afternoon the Columbus Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs are deep in discussions on a trade involving Kirill Marchenko.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 28, 2026
More to come...
Set aside all of the news, there's a blockbuster comin'...
Indeed, Friedge was spot on. As he updated his own thread, many of us were left pondering what exactly was going on. Immediately, many CBJ fans started looking up Matthew Knies highlights. He did become the centerpiece of the return for the Blue Jackets, and it just makes sense.
So, we shouldn't be surprised at all to find the results of the poll we posted on "X" later, once the trade finally went through. Most reactions were generally very positive. As were the comments we saw from around the 5th Line.
Positive reactions despite trading away a star player.
We took to "X" (Twitter) and asked you all for your feedback on the blockbuster. Here are some of the comments that stood out to us on the positive side of things:
I’ve critiqued Don Waddell up to this point, largely feeling I haven’t seen anything really “bold” from him, since he got here. Solid decisions, absolutely.
— Martini Hockey (@MartiniHockey) September 28, 2026
But he came out of a bad situation here, and stuck to what he wanted.
I think DW did very well. Knies’ numbers weren’t as good as Marchy’s but I think there’s a lot of untapped potential there. Andrae is a good depth piece sorely needed since Fabbro is out for a bit and maybe Sevo needs more time
— Chris (@dadopher75) September 29, 2026
It is good enough. We received a player back that can step into the top 6. Glad to have the 2nd round add. Didn't have to retain too much of Elvis contract. Salary cap explosion next year will give us plenty of flexibility.
— Kenneth Gast (@kgast13) September 29, 2026
Knies is a little bit of downgrade but he’s a jacket for the next 5 years so I’m ok with it and getting a 3rd pair defenseman and a decent bottom 6 player overall it’s pretty good trade considering the situation
— puckyou (@edg73112) September 28, 2026
Win for both teams. CBJ get a younger, cost controlled player who’s ascending and also managed to dump two bad players/contracts, plus get a 2nd.
— Chris Sladoje (@The_Doje) September 28, 2026
However, Marchenko was easily the best forward on the team and will probably put up big numbers for the leafs.
Our top 6 isn’t as good as it was 12 hours ago, lost some star power, but I think that’s a good return considering the situation. Knies is a stud, 3 years younger, and is on a great contract for 5 years. I’ll take it
— Brandon (@bm18950) September 28, 2026
We even heard from a Leafs fan, who wanted to send well wishes to Matthew Knies:
Leafs fan here
— MCOC Levi (@MCOCLevi) September 28, 2026
It’s a win win trade
Though I gotta say Kirill is the better player for the Leafs system
You’re gonna love Knies
Take good care of him for us!
Mixed reactions as well.
Of course, as with any big deal, there were mixed reactions as well. Some people didn't like the deal, while others wound up in "wait and see" mode. Here are a few more of the responses that stood out to us:
I think anyone saying they love it is delusional. Can't replace Marchenko when he's playing his best he's a top 10 player in the league. However with the circumstances it's good enough. He wanted out and we got solid return for him..Knies will be a solid contributor and D Depth
— nealon (@Nealon2213) September 29, 2026
Aside from Marchy wanting out, I think the Fantilli deal awakened #CBJ to possible cap issues in the near future. 3 years from now, with 3 years left on Fantilli's deal, could they have afforded Fantilli, Z, and Marchy all 3 at $12m+ Cap hit and had a decent all around roster?
— JimW Thoughts (@jn_walkerjr) September 28, 2026
It's fine for what the deal is. Both parties benefit, though I think the Maple Leafs get the better.
— Burned Retinas (@ColonelFancy) September 28, 2026
Knies is a good battery, with a bull-in-a-China-shop style of play. But he's not the level of skill Marchenko is, prone to vanishing, and is best with top tier linemates.
Taking a wait and see. Knies has potential. The question will be how well he fits with other pieces. Perhaps Knies is the player that will team with Fantilli and they will both take off. Or he could be the boost Kent Johnson needs. Or both!
— Alan Portnoy (@NotDave3412) September 28, 2026
Sorry to see Marchenko leave.…
Finally, we can't overlook the obvious. Montreal fans are indeed very, very upset.
Any one voting they hate it is a Montreal fan lol
— Justin Needham (@jneedham24) September 28, 2026
In conclusion: the trade looks like a win/win, from the fan's perspective.
It seems like fans from both sides of this trade, feel pretty happy with the outcome. The Blue Jackets unload a potential distraction, ahead of a season that is nothing short of critical for them.
But, while they give up the most talented player in the deal, they make out like bandits because they get back one of the game's best young power forwards. Knies is a guy the Leafs were trying to toss into every transaction, so I'm certain that both of the centerpiece players in this deal are relieved that it's over.
Yesterday, we graded this trade an A- from the CBJ perspective. And, I get the impression that most fans would agree with that deal. From both sides of the equation. We'll see how this one ages over the next few years.
Add us as a preferred source on Google