Blue Jackets News & Rumors: Knies, Marchenko, Opening Roster & More

It finally happened. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs connected on a blockbuster trade on the eve of the start of the regular season. It will be talked about for years to come.

Kirill Marchenko is a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs and expected to make his debut on Tuesday night. Matthew Knies is a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets and expected to arrive in Columbus on Tuesday afternoon.

In today’s edition of Blue Jackets News & Rumors, we start with Knies meeting with the Columbus media.

Knies Excited For New Opportunity

Rumors were swirling over Knies for what felt like ages. Most any talk around the Maple Leafs and potential moves focused on the talented power forward. Nothing ever happened, until now.

Knies was shocked at the timing of the trade. It’s not often blockbusters like this one go down one day before the regular season begins.

“I was a little bit shocked just of the timing of it all,” Knies said. “I think with my name being out there and just kind of the uncertainty here, I feel like it was just inevitable the way it seems. It was pretty shocking in the sense that we just came home from practice and obviously, I had an opening game tomorrow so really didn’t see it happening.”

Knies still expected something to happen given how often his name was out there. He’s now looking forward to his new opportunity in Columbus.

“With all that was out there, I think it was going to happen sometime in the future, but not this quickly,” Knies said. “Yeah, excited to go to Columbus. I think it was kind of getting old here with all those rumors and stuff, so I’m just glad that’s put to bed. I got a new fresh start in Columbus.”

Knies said he is 100% after dealing with a knee issue last season. He is eager to help his new teammates get to that next level they so desperately need to get to.

As for what Knies will remember from his time with the Maple Leafs:

“I’ll remember the guys, obviously,” Knies said. “I loved the group of guys we had here. There’s a lot of guys I can mention that helped me kind of get to where I am now, and a lot of veteran players that it was easy to follow with. But yeah, it was a fun time playing here. It was a crazy hockey city and exciting.”

“But again, I’m fired up to go to Columbus and get a fresh start and a breath of fresh air and not have to worry about all that kind of crap over my head for all those trade stuff and just focus on hockey and focus on the guys in the room and try and win.”

Reason For Marchenko’s Request a Mystery

GM Don Waddell spoke before Knies on Tuesday about the trade and the events that led up to it. He was if a reason was ever given by Marchenko as to why he wasn’t interested in staying with the Blue Jackets.

“You can ask him when he gets back to town,” Waddell said.

The Maple Leafs make their only trip to Nationwide Arena on Oct 20. Ultimately, no straight answer was ever given.

“I heard excuses, I guess,” Waddell said. “But not a straight answer.”

Marchenko dodged questions from the media during his one training camp availability. The writing appeared on the wall after that.

Kirill Marchenko was asked if he wants to play hockey in Columbus.

“I want to play hockey. It’s all I can say right now.”

Video below. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/XRiO6Adv1e

— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) September 18, 2026

While there are many “theories” out there as to what may have happened that led to this, Marchenko nor his agent Dan Milstein have ever said what the exact reasons were. We may never come to find out.

Marchenko did sign a six-year extension with the Maple Leafs worth $75 million. He’ll likely get a chance to play with Auston Matthews now. As for Knies, there’s a good chance he’ll play with Adam Fantilli.

Both sides got what they wanted in this deal. Now they both have to move on from what turned into a crazy situation over the offseason.

Opening Night Roster

The Blue Jackets released their opening-night roster on Monday night. Below are the 21 players who were part of that.

• Forwards: Charlie Coyle, Cole Sillinger, Dmitri Voronkov, Adam Fantilli, Sean Monahan, Mathieu Olivier, Valeri Nichushkin, Danton Heinen, Conor Garland, Matthew Knies, Kent Johnson, Luca Del Bel Belluz and Ryan Lomberg.
• Defense: Jake Christiansen, Denton Mateychuk, Zach Werenski, Ivan Provorov, Emil Andrae and Erik Gudbranson.
• Goalies: Jet Greaves and Cam Talbot.

On Tuesday, the Blue Jackets signed D Carson Soucy to a one-year, $1.15 million contract after joining the team on a PTO. It remains to be seen who will play Thursday night. Given the injuries to Damon Severson and Dante Fabbro, at least one of Soucy or Andrae will draw in. Should Ivan Provorov not be available, they may both have to draw in.

Jack Williams did everything he could to make the team. His waivers exempt status played a role in him going to the Monsters.

This group is one of the biggest teams they’ve had in franchise history. Knies comes in at over 230 pounds. They hope to impose their will physicially throughout the season.

What will be interesting to see is how the team elects to handle matters when players are ready to return.