The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko in a blockbuster trade on the eve of the NHL season, the clubs announced on Monday. The Maple Leafs traded top-line winger Matthew Knies, forward Steven Lorentz, defenseman Emil Andrae and a 2027 second-round pick for Marchenko, forward Miles Wood and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins.

Marchenko, 26, led the Blue Jackets in goals in each of the last three seasons, amassing 81 goals in 233 games. He's expected to slot onto the Leafs' top line with star center Auston Matthews. Marchenko and his agent Dan Milstein were given permission to negotiate a contract extension with the Maple Leafs, who signed the forward to a six-year extension with a $12.5 million cap hit.

The centerpiece of the deal for Columbus is Knies, 23, a power winger entering his fifth NHL season and signed through 2031. The Arizona native had 66 points in 79 games last season. His contract carries a $7.75 million average annual value. The Blue Jackets are retaining 18% of Merzlikins' salary.