Maple Leafs GM John Chayka issues public apology after blockbuster trade
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Maple Leafs GM John Chayka apologized to Matthew Knies for the summer trade noise after sending him to Columbus for Kirill Marchenko in a six-player deal.
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka apologized to Matthew Knies for the summer of trade rumors, and he made it public Tuesday morning.
Chayka told reporters he said sorry for all the noise surrounding Knies, admitting it wasn't fair to the 23-year-old, who was sent to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night.
Chayka explained that the Knies deal was the only trade the Leafs' management group seriously considered, despite all the speculation floating around.
He added that Knies took the news well, understands how the business works and lands with a promising young club that fits him well.
"I apologized to him for the noise over the last several months. I don't think it was necessarily fair to him. This was the only thing we seriously considered as a management group. You know, these things happen. He understands it's something that happens. He's a professional athlete and he's a smart kid, but he took the news well. It's a good young team he's going to. I think it's a good fit for him.”
- John Chayka
- John Chayka
How the six-player trade went down
Toronto acquired Kirill Marchenko, Miles Wood and goalie Elvis Merzlikins from Columbus.
The Blue Jackets received Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a conditional 2027 second-round pick.
Marchenko also signed a six-year, $75 million extension worth $12.5 million per season, and Merzlikins is still recovering from offseason surgery.
Chayka said talks with Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell began as early discussions but only gained real traction over the last several weeks.
He also thanked Knies and Lorentz for their contributions over the past few years.
Knies had a feeling this was coming.
He said at the start of training camp a couple of weeks ago that he considered himself lucky to still be in Toronto, since he had started to believe a move was on the way.
Marchenko's status for opening night
The Leafs open the regular season Tuesday night against the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m. ET, but Marchenko may not be available.
The Russian winger still has to get his work visa confirmed as he moves from the United States to Canada, which puts his debut in doubt.
Now the Leafs have to prove the bet was worth it.
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