- May 21, 2026
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Newly acquired Toronto Maple Leafs winger Kirill Marchenko will hit the ice on Tuesday night in the NHL’s 2026-27 curtain-raising evening, suiting up for his new team against the Montreal Canadiens.
It took until the final hours before puckdrop for concerns to subside about Marchenko’s Leafs debut, with the Russian forward facing work visa complications with his first Canadian team, despite five seasons in the United States with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“That’s the goal,” Chayka told reporters on Tuesday morning. “It’s out of our hands right now, with immigration and making sure we get the right paperwork done. But that’s our hope.”
Later, reports emerged midway through the afternoon that the 26-year-old would be able to hit the ice, starting his Maple Leafs tenure with the first game of a back-to-back on home ice before Wednesday’s matchup with the New York Islanders.
Marchenko joined the Leafs in a blockbuster trade on Monday, heading to Toronto alongside injured goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and forward Miles Wood, in exchange for Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a 2027 second-round pick.
Along with the trade, Marchenko also inked a six-year contract extension with an average annual value of $12.5 million with the Leafs, instantly making him part of the refreshed core alongside fellow expectant debutant Gavin McKenna, set to make his NHL debut against the Canadiens.
Marchenko, 26, had 31 goals and 74 points in 79 games in 2024-25, and nearly matched those totals with 67 points in 76 games last season. Now with a new team, he hopes to elevate further and push the Maple Leafs back into Stanley Cup contention.
After back-to-back games against the Canadiens and Islanders, the Leafs will look to the back end of their season-opening homestand, welcoming the Nashville Predators and Ottawa Senators to Scotiabank Arena before hitting the road for a three-game swing.
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It took until the final hours before puckdrop for concerns to subside about Marchenko’s Leafs debut, with the Russian forward facing work visa complications with his first Canadian team, despite five seasons in the United States with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“That’s the goal,” Chayka told reporters on Tuesday morning. “It’s out of our hands right now, with immigration and making sure we get the right paperwork done. But that’s our hope.”
Later, reports emerged midway through the afternoon that the 26-year-old would be able to hit the ice, starting his Maple Leafs tenure with the first game of a back-to-back on home ice before Wednesday’s matchup with the New York Islanders.
Marchenko joined the Leafs in a blockbuster trade on Monday, heading to Toronto alongside injured goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and forward Miles Wood, in exchange for Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a 2027 second-round pick.
Along with the trade, Marchenko also inked a six-year contract extension with an average annual value of $12.5 million with the Leafs, instantly making him part of the refreshed core alongside fellow expectant debutant Gavin McKenna, set to make his NHL debut against the Canadiens.
Marchenko, 26, had 31 goals and 74 points in 79 games in 2024-25, and nearly matched those totals with 67 points in 76 games last season. Now with a new team, he hopes to elevate further and push the Maple Leafs back into Stanley Cup contention.
After back-to-back games against the Canadiens and Islanders, the Leafs will look to the back end of their season-opening homestand, welcoming the Nashville Predators and Ottawa Senators to Scotiabank Arena before hitting the road for a three-game swing.
Continue reading...