The Columbus Blue Jackets traded forward Kirill Marchenko, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and forward Miles Wood to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sept. 28, reshaping the roster days before the 2026-27 NHL season begins. Columbus received forwards Matthew Knies and Steven Lorentz, defenseman Emil Andrae and a second-round pick. Marchenko, 26, also agreed to a six-year contract extension worth $75 million with Toronto, his agent announced on social media. Marchenko had led the Blue Jackets in goals in each of the past three seasons. He scored at least 21 goals in all four seasons with Columbus, including a career-best 31 in 2024-25. Knies, 23, joins Columbus after playing for Toronto since 2022, following his college career at the University of Minnesota. He has recorded 52 goals and 72 assists over the past two seasons and appeared in at least 78 games in each of the last three. General Manager Don Waddell described Knies as a physical forward with strong offensive ability, character and work ethic. Lorentz, 30, has played 381 NHL games for Toronto, Florida, San Jose and Carolina. Andrae recorded three goals and 17 assists over the past three seasons and helped Sweden win bronze at the 2022 World Junior Championship. Merzlikins finished last season with a 14-11-3 record, a 3.40 goals-against average and an .883 save percentage. He underwent shoulder surgery the previous month. Waddell thanked the departing players for their contributions and wished them well. The timing leaves Columbus integrating new players immediately before its opener against Buffalo at Nationwide Arena on Thursday, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. Toronto is due to visit Columbus on Oct. 20.