Ex-Toronto Maple Leafs Knies off to slow start with new team

When Matthew Knies was traded from Toronto to Columbus at the start of the 2026-27 season, it was a move that some Maple Leafs fans had a hard time getting on board with.

Knies was a fan favourite who made a name for himself over parts of four seasons with the Leafs. But with new management in the mix, the 24-year-old forward apparently no longer fit into the team's future.

One month into the season, though, the trade appears to be working out well for Toronto.

Russian forward Kirill Marchenko has recorded 14 points in 14 games since arriving from Columbus, while Knies has been held off the scoresheet in eight of his 11 games with the Blue Jackets.

Maple Leafs forward Kirill Marchenko has six goals in 14 games with Toronto. (Nick Turchiaro/Imagn Images)

Knies got off to a hot start with his new team, recording four points in his first two games, but has since cooled off.

Since Oct. 3, he's managed just one assist over his last nine games. Columbus has struggled to score during that stretch, too, sitting second-last in the Eastern Conference in goals per game.

It's been a different story for Marchenko in Toronto.

After going scoreless in his first two games, the 26-year-old went on a six-game point streak, highlighted by a hat trick on Oct. 15 in the Leafs' 5-4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

WHO WON THE TRADE? #Leafs Kirill Marchenko: 13GP, 6G, 8A: 14P #CBJ Matthew Knies: 9GP, 2G, 2A: 4P Blue Jackets in last place in EC, Knies pointless in 7 games. Maple Leafs have won 4 in a row, Marchenko has five points in his last 4 #Leafs #CBJ https://t.co/oQ7agvUQWA

— NHL Trade Rumors (@NHLTradeRumors) October 25, 2026

However, Marchenko recently went to the injured list, suffering a lower-body injury during Monday's game against the Calgary Flames. He's expected to miss a few weeks.

Of course, with six months left in the season, there's plenty of time for Knies to turn it around, or for Marchenko to cool off. Though if fans were to evaluate the trade at this one-month mark, it's made Leafs GM John Chayka look like a genius.

Leafs fans won't have to wait long to see Knies back at Scotiabank Arena against his former team. The Blue Jackets visit Toronto on Nov. 21, which will mark his first trip to the city since the trade.