r/leafs • u/TheAthletic • 23h ago

Article [Siegel] The Maple Leafs need Kirill Marchenko to be great: Monday Morning Leafs Report

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7659157/2026/10/05/maple-leafs-kirill-marchenko/?unlocked_article_code=1.GVE.VGQn.wAmJ9r63wSZZ&source=emp_shared_article&smid=re-share-ta

Kirill Marchenko was sitting on the bench over the weekend when his first goal as a Toronto Maple Leaf was announced inside Scotiabank Arena.

A banner flashed on the video board indicating as much. Marchenko looked up, saw it, and grinned widely.

This was what the 26-year-old came to Toronto to do.

In just three games, Marchenko has flashed all the tools that led GM John Chayka to make a bold (and pricey) trade for him last week.

He’s shown the wheels, with bursts of speed that have ranked among the NHL’s elite early on. He’s been a willing and dangerous shooter, already with 19 attempts on goal, including the backhand shot that he easily shuffled past Linus Ullmark on Saturday to give the Leafs a lead they would ultimately relinquish for their second defeat in three games.

It was precisely what Chayka was talking about when he said Marchenko could “single-handedly dictate outcomes in games.”

Marchenko has also offered intriguing hints of chemistry with his new linemate, Auston Matthews.

He has totalled two points so far, while logging over 19 minutes a game. He’s been good, especially given the hectic circumstances of his arrival. But the Leafs are going to need great for this to work — for the gamble that sent Matthew Knies (along with Emil Andrae, Steven Lorentz, and a second-round pick) and his bargain contract away to Columbus (and brought back contract dumps in Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins) to be worthwhile for Chayka and the franchise.

Marchenko’s $3.85 million cap hit this season is tied for 206th among NHL forwards.

Next season, when the six-year extension he signed with the Leafs begins, his $12.5 million cap hit is slated to be tied for 11th at his position — including Connor McDavid’s and Mitch Marner’s cap hits (oddly enough).

Which means the Leafs will be paying Marchenko to be one of the very best forwards in the league and a true superstar. Which means they need even more than the 31 goals and 75 points per 82 games he delivered the previous two seasons with Columbus. They need Marchenko to become a perennial threat for 40 goals and 80-90 points. They need him to continue the upward trajectory that began with the Blue Jackets in 2022.

73 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

55 comments sorted by

96

u/BreadBetter6642 21h ago

3 games into the season and the scapegoating/sky is falling is in full swing

19

u/Lumini_317 20h ago

It’s so tiresome, especially considering the fact that I don’t think I saw a single person saying the team would look good right away. Everyone was saying that they would probably look rough for a while but now that we’re actually seeing them look rough the doomers are out in full force lol

15

u/Fluffy_Cheetah7620 19h ago

Those were 50/50 games in my opinion. The leafs could be 3-0 and the doomers would still be bringing the shitshow, it's all they know.

4

u/baylaust 18h ago

That's the thing. Yeah, it sucks that we've lost two of our games, but it felt like we were in it for most of the game. We aren't losing because we SUCK, but because the team is making mistakes. Unfortunately, costly ones.

Last year, we WERE losing because we sucked, so it's a very different feeling. With how short training and pre-season were (especially for the Leafs, who only really had 2 games), I'm comfortable chalking this up to early season sloppiness. If we still look like this come November, then I'd start to sweat a bit.

1

u/Lumini_317 19h ago

Exactly. It’s not like they were blowout losses (though I would not be shocked if we saw a blowout loss or two in the upcoming games) and it’s not like the Buds weren’t trying. The road trip will probably hurt but if they can come back from that better and stronger then I don’t think it will be such a big issue.

15

u/TouchlessOuch 20h ago

Right?? It was a short training camp, the team had a massive turnover, and then there was the Knies trade. It's going to take a minute for the system to register for the guys.

5

u/Sarge1387 20h ago

Wasn't even three games in. 10 minutes into the season opener the same 4 or 5 doomers started coming out. Sects of our fanbase are absolutely insufferable at times.

4

u/dicky72 19h ago

listen....i'm the farthest thing from a Jonas fan. but that isnt what this article was all about. it was his weekly update and he's just stating the obvious.... March needs to be a slam dunk for the leafs to succeed this year.

also....he made this comment at the end of the article:

"One win and only two points in three home games to start the season isn’t ideal, especially with a challenging trip through Vegas, Colorado and Utah coming up. That said, the Leafs could easily be 3-0, with both losses coming by a goal in games that were mostly even. They could also be 0-3, on the other hand, as that one win over the Islanders also came by just one goal.

Overall, the start feels more encouraging than discouraging. The results need to start following soon, though."

again...i dislike Jonas' writing...but i dont think he's wrong here

2

u/DepartureOwn1817 18h ago

Yeah I think this headline is pretty inflammatory but when I read the article it was much more reasonable.

2

u/dicky72 18h ago

classic media.... CLICK!

1

u/Halichoeres_bivittat 19h ago

Also, Saturday was Ottawa's first game and Toronto's third. So the Sens had the benefit of not only rest but also more practices.

4

u/TaxDoctorMD 18h ago

Sens had the benefit of 6 goalposts against. That game could have easily been a blowout for us.

2

u/dicky72 18h ago

absolutely....dont think auston and march could have used a week of practices?!?!?

2

u/Fluffy_Cheetah7620 16h ago

And the leafs hit 6 goal posts that doesn't happen very often. It was a close game and fun to watch, Ullmark had a really good game. Marchenkos goal was a highlite beauty.

0

u/BlastingBegins 16h ago

He is wrong. He said he's been good but needs to be great, as if he has to get notably better

2

u/dicky72 15h ago

he does.

but he also notes its only been a couple of games, and even less practices. it takes time. i dont see an issue with the way he points it out.

2

u/r3almaplesyrup 20h ago

Hence why I don’t read or listen to much Toronto based media lol

3

u/Prize-Temporary4159 19h ago

This is coming from the New York Times. The call is literally coming from outside the building

5

u/DepartureOwn1817 18h ago

The New York Times is the Athletic and is written by a leafs beat reporter who has covered them for like 20 years from Toronto so…no.

1

u/Prize-Temporary4159 18h ago

As long as you know who his editor’s editor is.

46

u/HardstButton2Button 22h ago

I have confidence that he'll bring a new dynamic that will compliment Matthews game more than Knies.

Its all in the speed and transition, something the Leafs really lacked last year on the top line.

6

u/RichRingoLangly 17h ago

Knies was a great player but had a ton of time with Auston and they just didn't click enough, Marchenko already seems to be gelling with Auston a lot more and they've barely played together.

2

u/HardstButton2Button 17h ago

Totally agree, I had the feeling last year that he'd reached his ceiling and was on the way down in regards to speed/gameplay and posed a massive injury risk. I believe the training staff knew something and were warning the management last year at the trade deadline where he was basically already a Hab for not the trade being 1 minute late.

What a blessing that was for us.

2

u/Dubsified 16h ago

We’ve already seen it.

2

u/RecalcitrantHuman 14h ago

I’m willing to give it some time, though I admit I do have a concern that Marshenko is a bit selfish with the puck. I’m hoping that is just lack of comfort with his linemates that will improve pretty quickly

38

u/We_Get_It_You_Vape 21h ago

For players with at least 50 mins of total ice time thus far, he's 22nd best in on-ice xG % in the league and 1st among Leafs players. Jonas looks at the number of points/goals and suggests that he hasn't been "great". But, by xG%, he's been our best player (with that sample size of minutes).

Feels like Jonas is being unnecessarily critical of a player who has played fantastic. The points/goals will come if he continues to play this way.

21

u/tm_leafer 21h ago

Not to mention he was traded the day before the season started into a new team with a new coach, new line mates, etc, and the team he was traded to has had so much change that the team itself is going through growing pains.

He's had a solid start, especially given the context.

1

u/KinginDaNorf72 18h ago

No practice with the team, back to backs to open the season. No shit he's going to look lost at times. I thought he did great and wasn't a liability given the circumstances. He even got a PP goal against Ottawa.

0

u/thewolfshead 19h ago

Except he isn’t critical of his play in the article? Did you read it?

 In just three games, Marchenko has flashed all the tools that led GM John Chayka to make a bold (and pricey) trade for him last week.

He’s shown the wheels, with bursts of speed that have ranked among the NHL’s elite early on. He’s been a willing and dangerous shooter, already with 19 attempts on goal, including the backhand shot that he easily shuffled past Linus Ullmark on Saturday to give the Leafs a lead they would ultimately relinquish for their second defeat in three games.

It was precisely what Chayka was talking about when he said Marchenko could  “single-handedly dictate outcomes in games.”

The only real hint of any criticism is Siegel saying that with his new contract starting next season the Leafs will need him to improve on his totals from Columbus given he will have one of the highest cap hits in the league.  He also mentions how dominant the top lines underlying numbers have been so far and that it’ll likely get better with more time to build chemistry. 

2

u/We_Get_It_You_Vape 17h ago

Except he isn’t critical of his play in the article? Did you read it?

I did, in fact, read it. And you're dead wrong.

 

In the article, Jonas writes:

He has totalled two points so far, while logging over 19 minutes a game. He’s been good, especially given the hectic circumstances of his arrival. But the Leafs are going to need great for this to work

 

Jonas is saying, quite explicitly, that Marchenko hasn't played to the level that he needs to play at. He is saying that Marchenko has been good, but not great. And I wholeheartedly disagree. The on-ice xG% that I reference in my previous comment suggest that Marchenko has been elite and has been the best player on our team thus far.

0

u/Prize-Temporary4159 19h ago

His criticism is “he needs to be good”. This same article template is brainless when it’s about Matthews, or Nylander, or anyone really. It’s lazy, and I expect the one on Bob in the next two weeks.

0

u/Beachday4 19h ago

Ya, Jonas doesn’t know puck. Marchenko’s been our best player.

1

u/thewolfshead 19h ago

Don’t just read the headline, Jonas is very complimentary of his play so far. 

-1

u/Beachday4 17h ago

Ah ok, then fair. I was just going off what this guy said

18

u/Yharnam_Blunderbuss 22h ago

He has been great... any expectations of Tavares? Willy? Reilly?

12

u/alexsteen789 20h ago

Don't forget Matthew's. Dude's been paid for what seems like 10 years to be one of the best in the league. He needs to start earning it

1

u/Ok_Hovercraft_2372 19h ago

Willy is Willy, great in O zone, shit in D zone 😄
But JT really needs a long run way unfortunately, same thing every season, first couple of games he looks like a genuine bum and then he starts going
I don't know what's going on with Rielly, but his deployment needs a critical reassessment

1

u/Leafs17 8h ago

Who calls one goal in 3 games "great"?

I'm not complaining, due to the circumstances, but a spade is a spade

1

u/Tarquin11 20h ago

Willy and Rielly have been good

3

u/flippy_floppy_fluppy 20h ago

Hot take but they need everyone to be great.

3

u/Successful_Grand7538 17h ago

"Maple Leafs need guy who just got there to be their franchise savior" is peak Toronto.

2

u/416vDub 19h ago

Marchenko has looked like one of the best players on the ice so far.

5

u/PeaNo8063 21h ago

He'll look good lifting the cup this year

1

u/BeefJerky03 19h ago

This is the way bud. You gotta believe.

1

u/Glock_Camera 19h ago

He's looked good. Goals will start flowing. Even his one goal on the PP. How did he just float it into the net from that angle on a weak backhand? Bro will outscore Matthews this season for sure. We have three 40 goal scorers. Nylander, Matthews, Marchenko. Our offense is ridiculous.

1

u/Cold_Jelly_1221 19h ago

No, they need to figure out how their 2nd line doesn't get decimated

1

u/Silent_Sap 19h ago

It’s only 3 games into the season

1

u/Openedandclosed 17h ago

Sports team needs to win. Otherwise, they may lose.

1

u/Dubsified 16h ago

He’s been arguably the best forward outside of Cowan.

1

u/No-Effective-1996 15h ago

He has been pretty good. McKenna has not on pace for -84, if this keeps up for another game or 2 they will have to consider what to do with him. He has. Even so bad defensively, can you put him on line 3 or 4? If not what do you do? Push him to top line and drop Marchenko who has been their best player. Or pull up a defensive guy and push Willy down or Willy up and Roslovic down?

1

u/OfficialJarule 7h ago

Cowan had a rough start last year, too.  Played in the Calder Cup run and now is absolutely sick.    McKenna is 18, he needs time to adjust and learn.  it's wild to write him off after 3 games

1

u/DessertRose17 15h ago

Everyone needs to be good if this is gonna work. 

1

u/Right_Ideal_2511 5h ago

Imagine if we still had Marner to play with them ?!?!? Wow

1

u/SundaeSpecialist4727 19h ago

Dislike the salary cap.

Skilled player and due to his cap hit the fan base will eventually turn on him....