Kirill Marchenko settles in on natural left wing with Maple Leafs

Four days after the blockbuster trade that moved him from Columbus to Toronto, and two games into his Maple Leafs tenure, Kirill Marchenko finally got a proper practice with his new team on Friday. The winger lined up on the left side of the top unit beside Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic, taking over the spot that had been occupied by Matthew Knies.

After being thrown straight into back‑to‑back games on short notice, Marchenko used Thursday to decompress, spending time at the hotel with his cat and beginning the search for a home in his new city. By Friday morning at the team’s Etobicoke practice facility, attention shifted fully back to hockey as he worked through drills and on‑bench conversations with his linemates to start building chemistry.

Left side in Toronto is a return, not an experiment

Much of the early discussion around Marchenko in Toronto has focused on his move to the left side after playing primarily on the right wing with the Blue Jackets. He made clear, though, that this is actually a return to familiar territory. He grew up in Russia playing left wing into his early 20s, only shifting to the right once he reached the NHL, and says the pace and fluidity of today’s game mean he is comfortable rotating through different spots in the offensive zone.

Head coach Jim Hiller welcomes that comfort level. He likes having a right shot on the left side, believing off‑hand wingers can shield the puck better along the boards against aggressive pinches and present a more direct threat when cutting into the middle off the rush. Early in his Leafs stint, Marchenko has already flashed that profile with a handful of bursts down the left flank that ended with drives to the slot and testing opposing goaltenders.

Countryman Sergei Bobrovsky has been quick to highlight Marchenko’s skill set, from his coordination and reach to his shot and size, and sees him as a strong addition in the room. Familiar faces such as Bobrovsky and former Blue Jackets teammate Roslovic are easing the transition, helping him navigate off‑ice details in Toronto as he settles into a new organization and a top‑line role.

McKenna and Cozens set up historic Yukon matchup

Saturday’s meeting with the Ottawa Senators carries its own storyline for another newcomer in Toronto. Top 2026 pick Gavin McKenna is set for his first NHL matchup against fellow Whitehorse, Yukon product Dylan Cozens. McKenna said the two skated together late in the summer and talked about how meaningful it would be for their hometown to see two Whitehorse players facing each other in the NHL, with plenty of people back home expected to watch.

Cozens, now established in the league with Buffalo, has previously spoken with pride about McKenna’s rise, noting how special it is to see another player from their community break through. McKenna heads into the game with two NHL contests behind him and his first points still to come, with family in the stands again and significant support arriving from the Yukon.

Bobrovsky explains rookie‑lap mix‑up with McKenna

The week also featured an unusual moment during McKenna’s traditional rookie lap before Toronto’s home opener against Montreal. As the teenager began his solo warm‑up, Bobrovsky joined him briefly on the ice, following his usual pre‑game routine rather than the customary deference to the rookie. The 38‑year‑old later said he had simply forgotten about the lap tradition in the moment and went to speak to McKenna afterward.

Beyond the light‑hearted incident, Bobrovsky has been effusive about McKenna’s talent, pointing to his skating, puck skills and vision at just 18 years old. For the Maple Leafs, Marchenko reclaiming his natural left‑wing role on the top line and the emergence of a highly touted rookie like McKenna underline the offensive ceiling this group could reach as their chemistry continues to develop.