Fantilli Backs Blue Jackets After Marchenko Trade

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Adam Fantilli expressed support for the team's decision to trade Kirill Marchenko as Columbus prepared to face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night. Speaking after the morning skate, Fantilli questioned the value of keeping a player who had requested to leave before the 2026-27 NHL season.

Fantilli said Columbus benefited from completing the deal before the regular season, allowing the organization to move forward with players committed to the team. The trade sent Marchenko, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and forward Miles Wood to Toronto in exchange for forward Matthew Knies, forward Steven Lorentz, defenseman Emil Andrae and a conditional 2027 second-round draft pick.

“Happy we got guys who want to be here,” Fantilli said. “It would have been a nightmare having a guy that didn’t want to be here all year. I’m glad we got that trade done when we did.”

Marchenko requested a trade before the start of the 2026-27 campaign, raising questions about whether Columbus general manager Don Waddell could complete a deal before the season began. Waddell finalized the blockbuster transaction on the eve of the new season, sending three players to Toronto in exchange for three players and the conditional draft selection.

According to the reported season statistics, Marchenko had recorded four goals and six assists for 10 points through Toronto's first 10 games. Those totals ranked third on the Maple Leafs in each of the three categories, reflecting his early contribution to his new team.

Knies also made an immediate impact in his Columbus debut, scoring two goals and recording three points. However, the forward had gone without a point in his five most recent games, while the Blue Jackets had experienced an uneven start to the season.

The trade discussion also came amid earlier uncertainty surrounding defenseman Zach Werenski. The Norris Trophy winner had requested a trade during the summer before reconsidering and reaffirming his intention to remain with Columbus for the long term.

Entering Tuesday night's matchup, Toronto held a 4-4-2 record, while Columbus stood at 3-4-0. The teams were scheduled to meet in Columbus shortly after 7 p.m. Eastern Time, giving Fantilli's comments additional context ahead of Marchenko's return to face his former team.