Analyzing why Matthew Knies has cooled after a hot start for Blue Jackets - Sportsnet.ca

Auston Matthews is tied for fifth in NHL scoring, was last week's first star, and has 12 point sin his past five games. What's behind this production? Adam Vingan takes a look at the numbers to see how Matthews has performed.

It’s been just under a month since the Toronto Maple Leafs pulled off a blockbuster trade on the eve of the NHL season, acquiring Kirill Marchenko from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a deal that saw Matthew Knies head the other way. The sample size remains limited, but the early stats suggest Marchenko is proving to be the upgrade the Maple Leafs were betting he would be last month. The 26-year-old winger has four goals and 10 points through 10 games this season, on pace to average a point per game for the first time in his career. After calling on himself to produce more last week, Marchenko posted a hat trick in a 5-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. He has been a consistent producer, posting at least a point in eight of Toronto’s 10 games. The Maple Leafs inked Marchenko to a six-year, $75 million contract extension as part of the trade, boosting his cap hit to $12.5 million when it kicks in next season compared to the $7.75 million Knies is signed for. “There’s a lot of good players in the NHL,” Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka said in the wake of the deal.

NHLThe Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired Kirill Marchenko in a trade with Columbus and signed him to six-year, $75-million US contract, according to Marchenko's agent Dan Milstein. Fellow winger Matthew Knies is part of the package going to the Blue Jackets. Blockbuster trade day before NHL opening night also involves 4 players, draft pickThe Canadian Press · Posted: Sep 28, 2026 5:51 PM EDT | Last Updated: September 29Listen to this articleEstimated 5 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets swap forwards Matthew Knies and Kirill Marchenko. (CBC Sports composite: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images via Reuters, Melissa Majchrzak/Associated Press)The Maple Leafs have added another skilled forward to their roster reload. Toronto acquired winger Kirill Marchenko from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a blockbuster trade Monday on the eve of the new NHL season, then signed the winger to a six-year, $75 million US contract. Marchenko's agent, Dan Milstein, announced the contract on his verified X account.