Craig Button gives Marchenko-Knies trade verdict

Marchenko I'm sure is excited to play with this new team!! Welcome to the maple leafs marchenko!! Go Leafs Go!!!

As a CBJ fan (yes we exist, there are dozens of us, dozens) this feels like a great deal both ways. Wanted Marchenko gone, and glad we could return a player like Knies. Feels like one of the best all around hockey trades we've seen in a while. Both teams get what they want, both players get a new environment. Excited to see how this plays out both ways.

As a franchise still being affected by the huge loss of JG, getting younger and grittier makes sense for CBJ. Toronto needed to make a move to improve now and show AM this franchise is not going to sit back and let him walk. Classic, good trade for both teams. Jackets are going to love cheering on the feisty and talented Knies who is going to improve and score more goals.

Knies has all the ammo to come out with a giant chip on his shoulder and have a big year!

Knies is 30 lbs of solid muscle heavier than Marchenko. Leafs just created a massive hole in the top six, because they just lost their biggest and strongest player along the boards with puck battles.

Marchenko has shown he can play well on a bad team. Good fit 😂

If Button likes this, that gives me pause.

Absolutely terrible trade for Toronto. It may look good now but, it will age like rust. Knies will always be more important in the playoffs. Great regular season trade for Toronto, terrible for the playoffs.

I'm sure a lot of this analysis is done based on highlights because I'm certain nearly no one in Canada watches the Blue Jackets unless they're playing a Canadian team. But Marchie, as good as he is, was one of the most glaring disappearing acts last spring. When he's motivated, I think he could be a top winger in the league, but when he's not going, you just better hope someone else does the work to get him the puck. After one of their many beatings during the Jackets' 18 wheeler off the cliff last year, a fan spotted him yawning at the end of the game (a game where clearly zero effort was given). I think he was poised to do a PLD. And if he and Milstein think they're going to pull the media stunts they did this summer with the Leafs press, they're in for a big surprise. All that said, he is the more talented player, so good luck to the Leafs. I think the Jackets did alright too, for no other reason than to get rid of two of Jarmo's problems.

I like it! Sucks losing Knies but he seemed off for good while, and Toronto needed to upgrade right wing, while giving those on left wing more time to grow, especially Cowan and Kenna, Roslo looked good and they expect him to grind.

Leafs made a mistake Knies was one of the few leafs that played with heart

While it may be a win for the leafs I believe thier last premium asset should have been spent to address the d or 2c

Marchenko is a goal scorer and is quick but he is not a bigger stronger guy. He is not going into a corner and coming out with the puck. He won't punish opponents. I think Button might have had him confused with someone else. Krill is awesome and will score 30 goals and will win some shootouts but he is not a bruising forward.

I was conflicted before, but if Button is calling this a win for the Leafs then I know the Jackets absolutely robbed them in this trade.

I dont like this trade . 😕 kiril will tank

The leafs are unexpectedly back with new full life meter.if anything goes wrong and it should not be at all then its on the players 100%

Leafs get softer

Blockbuster?

I'm actually blown away at what Chyka/Sundin has done. Turning a last place team bottom 5 to a contender in a few months. Got the number 1 pick, totally new system, totally new bottom 6. Cup winning goaltenders. The whole team is completely different and it is soooo WILD.

This will age like vinegar and I’ll laugh my ass off