Maple Leafs’ projected opening night roster, post-Marchenko trade

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Maple Leafs’ projected opening night roster, post-Marchenko trade

Originally posted on TheLeafsnation | By Arun Srinivasan | Last updated Sep 29, 2026 12:30 PM ET

Things move quickly in the NHL, as the Toronto Maple Leafs will field a new-look roster for their season opener Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens. Toronto acquired Kirill Marchenko, Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday in a blockbuster trade, dealing Matthew Knies, Emil Andrae, Steven Lorentz and a 2027 2nd-round pick. Marchenko’s status remains in question, as he has to clear customs before playing.

“It’s out of our hands right now, with immigration and making sure we get the right paperwork done. But that’s our hope,” Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka said of Marchenko on Tuesday morning.

Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller told reporters that he’s preparing for the outcome that Marchenko isn’t cleared. Marchenko would likely begin the year on the first line alongside Auston Matthews. Gavin McKenna played the entire preseason attached to John Tavares and William Nylander, and it would appear unlikely that Hiller would separate this combination ahead of the opener.

Dan Milstein, Marchenko’s agent, told Leafs Morning Take that they hope to complete Marchenko’s immigration paperwork immediately.

On @LMTake_ with @thegoldenmuzzy and @Jay_D_Rosehill, Dan Milstein said that they hope to get Kirill Marchenko's immigration papers done shortly.

— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) September 29, 2026

“It’s really difficult right now because we’re not sure if he’s even going to play,” Hiller said. “So, we’ll get to all that, once we find out if he plays or when he starts playing. For now, I’m focused on him not playing and what we’ve had today.”

Wood was assigned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, while Merzlikins is out for 4-6 months, and is expected to be placed on injured reserve Tuesday afternoon. In the event Marchenko does not play, expect Bo Groulx to factor onto the third line, where Easton Cowan could join Toronto’s top line.

PuckPedia outlined how the Maple Leafs will get under the cap.

The #Leafs 2026-27 #NHL opening night roster:

13F, 7D, 2G + 2 IR (Domi, Joshua) & Merzlikins & Webber LTIR.

They exceeded the cap by $4.7M with Merzlikins & Webber on LTIR & therefore came within $105K of optimal LTIR capture.

They can add cap space by subsequently adding… pic.twitter.com/TkjxwKjfjC

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) September 29, 2026