NHL IN 60 SECONDS
Toronto’s acquisition of Kirill Marchenko dominates the opening-week agenda after a six-player trade with Columbus and a reported six-year, $75 million extension that begins next season. The deal sent Matthew Knies to the Blue Jackets and also brought Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins to the Maple Leafs. Gavin McKenna’s first NHL game for Toronto ended in a 3-2 loss to Montreal, while Edmonton’s new defensive standards were immediately tested in a 6-5 overtime loss to Vancouver. Minnesota will be without Brock Faber indefinitely after surgery for a skull fracture. Elsewhere, Ottawa named Thomas Chabot captain and Carolina continues to seek a resolution with restricted free agent Alexander Nikishin.
THE BIG FIVE
Marchenko interest ran deep before Toronto deal
The Maple Leafs’ acquisition of Kirill Marchenko came after significant interest elsewhere, according to multiple reports. Elliotte Friedman said Columbus did not receive an offer featuring a player it considered as intriguing as Matthew Knies. Chris Johnston said Montreal was the other club that really wanted Marchenko, but did not have a roster player it was comfortable sending back comparable to Knies. The Canadiens remained involved until the end and were reportedly trying to find a third team to absorb salary. Boston, the New York Islanders, Seattle and Tampa were also said to have shown interest. Aaron Portzline reported that Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell did not receive a clear explanation for why Marchenko no longer wished to play in Columbus; Marchenko and agent Dan Milstein said only that he preferred to play elsewhere.
IHM Signal: Toronto’s willingness to take on additional contracts appears to have helped separate its package from the field.
Coach Mark: For Columbus, receiving an established roster player rather than futures was central to the reported trade-market calculus.
Maple Leafs land Marchenko in six-player trade
Kirill Marchenko was traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a six-player deal that sent Matthew Knies to Columbus. Toronto also acquired forward Miles Wood and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins. The Blue Jackets received forward Steven Lorentz, defenceman Emil Andrae and a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft alongside Knies. Marchenko, 26, signed a six-year, $75 million contract with a $12.5 million average annual value, beginning next season, according to his agent. He could have become a restricted free agent after this season. Marchenko recorded 67 points, including 27 goals, in 76 games in 2025-26, leading Columbus in goals and finishing second in points. Toronto general manager John Chayka said he hoped Marchenko could make his Maple Leafs debut provided his immigration paperwork was completed.
IHM Signal: Toronto has added a proven scorer and secured him beyond the current season at a stated $12.5 million AAV.
Coach Mark: Marchenko’s right-handed shot and scoring ability give Toronto further options on the power play and in offensive-zone setups.
McKenna’s NHL debut brings family moment despite loss
Gavin McKenna made his NHL regular-season debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 3-2 season-opening loss to the Montreal Canadiens. The 18-year-old, selected No. 1 in the 2026 NHL Draft, was held without a point, was minus-2 and had one shot on goal in 15:19 of ice time. McKenna described his own performance as “not great” and said Montreal gave him little time and space. He was due to play again against the New York Islanders the following day. The evening still carried major meaning for his family, with 14 people travelling from Whitehorse, Yukon, including his parents, sisters and grandfather Joe Mason. McKenna’s mother, Krystal, watched warmups from against the glass as her son prepared for his first professional regular-season game.
IHM Signal: The result was disappointing for Toronto, but McKenna’s debut marked a landmark night for the top pick and his family.
Coach Mark: McKenna’s immediate focus was on regrouping quickly after experiencing the pace and pressure of his first NHL game.
Babcock demands more structure after Oilers loss
The Edmonton Oilers opened the season with a 6-5 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks, prompting coach Mike Babcock to say the team had “serious work to do”. Edmonton led a more structured start but later conceded breakaways, odd-man rushes and open looks in front of Tristan Jarry. The goaltender allowed six goals on 23 shots and said he needed to make one or two more saves. With the score 2-2 entering the third period, Vancouver scored three times in 4:05, including Elias Pettersson’s power-play goal. Edmonton fought back to force overtime, powered by Evan Bouchard’s hat trick and two assists, while Vasily Podkolzin scored twice in the third. Paul Cotter won it at 1:59 of overtime after forcing a Ryan Shea turnover and then converting Max Sasson’s pass.
IHM Signal: Edmonton’s offence produced enough to recover, but defensive lapses decided the opening result.
Coach Mark: Babcock’s emphasis is clearly on restoring defensive detail and reducing the chances conceded from risky decisions.
READ FULL STORY: Oilers face defensive reset after Canucks OT loss
Faber out indefinitely after skull-fracture surgery
Minnesota Wild defenceman Brock Faber is out indefinitely after surgery on Sunday for a skull fracture sustained in a pre-season game against the Dallas Stars. Faber was struck in the head by a shot from Dallas defenceman Miro Heiskanen at 10:24 of the second period on Friday. He briefly remained on the ice, skated to the bench under his own power and returned for the next shift, but did not play in the third period of Minnesota’s 2-1 loss. General manager Bill Guerin said the club would follow medical guidance on a timeline and stressed that Faber was doing well. The 24-year-old had 51 points in 80 games last season. He was expected to begin the season alongside Quinn Hughes, but there is no timetable for his return.
IHM Signal: Minnesota begins the season without a defenceman who was expected to occupy a major role.
Coach Mark: The Wild’s priority is Faber’s wellbeing, while his indefinite absence removes a planned element of their defence pairing.
READ FULL STORY: Brock Faber out indefinitely after skull surgery
IHM SHORT ICE
Hurricanes still seeking Nikishin resolution
Carolina and restricted free agent defenceman Alexander Nikishin are still attempting to find a resolution, according to general manager Eric Tulsky.
Nikishin recently changed agents to Paul Theofanos after reportedly requesting a trade, while Tulsky said both sides were trying to determine how to move forward.
READ FULL STORY: Hurricanes still seeking Nikishin contract resolution
Chabot takes Senators captaincy
Thomas Chabot was named Ottawa Senators captain on Tuesday, four days before the club’s first game of the 2026-27 season.
The 29-year-old defenceman replaces Brady Tkachuk and becomes captain after spending all nine of his NHL seasons with Ottawa.
Young captains join a notable NHL list
Macklin Celebrini, 20, became the youngest captain in San Jose Sharks history on Sept. 25, while Connor Bedard, 21, was recently named Chicago Blackhawks captain.
Connor McDavid remains the youngest captain in NHL history, having received the role at 19 years and 266 days in 2016.
Opening rosters underline the league’s age range
Official NHL opening-day rosters contain 723 players, including 433 from Generation Z and 283 born in the 2000s.
Brent Burns, 41, is the oldest player on an opening-day roster, while Chicago has the NHL’s youngest roster at an average age of 26.4.
READ FULL STORY: NHL opening rosters underline generational change
Canadiens urged to wait for the right move
Craig Button said Montreal does not need to make a move quickly after missing out on Kirill Marchenko and Dylan Larkin.
Button said Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton should pursue a move only when it makes sense, while Elias Pettersson’s progress is the immediate focus in Vancouver.
READ FULL STORY: Canadiens’ patience and Pettersson’s Canucks future
IHM NHL PULSE
Leadership is changing hands across the league
Ottawa has handed its captaincy to Thomas Chabot, while San Jose and Chicago have placed that responsibility with Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard respectively. The leadership theme also framed Gavin McKenna’s first NHL night in Toronto, where the No. 1 pick began his professional regular-season journey under intense attention.
Opening week has already tested defensive depth
Edmonton’s 6-5 overtime loss exposed the defensive detail Mike Babcock wants to improve, while Minnesota has lost Brock Faber indefinitely following surgery. Toronto’s trade for Marchenko also included the arrival of goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and forward Miles Wood, reshaping its roster at the outset of the season.
Contract questions remain active
Marchenko’s reported six-year agreement gives Toronto a long-term commitment to its new forward, while Carolina is still working towards a resolution with Alexander Nikishin. In San Jose, commentary around Will Smith suggested that an extension could wait until after the season.
Opening rosters show both youth and experience
Generation Z players account for 433 of the 723 names on official opening-day rosters, while 41-year-olds Brent Burns, Corey Perry and Alex Ovechkin are also listed. The opening group spans 29 United States birth states and includes 227 players born outside North America.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING NEXT
- Gavin McKenna and the Maple Leafs were scheduled to face the New York Islanders on Wednesday.
- The Minnesota Wild are scheduled to open their season at the Nashville Predators on Thursday.
- The Ottawa Senators are scheduled to open the regular season at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.
SHORT ICE Q&A
What did Toronto give up to acquire Kirill Marchenko?
Toronto sent Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft to Columbus. Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins also joined Marchenko in Toronto.
What are the terms of Marchenko’s reported new contract?
According to his agent, Marchenko signed a six-year, $75 million contract with a $12.5 million average annual value. The deal starts next season.
How did Gavin McKenna fare in his NHL debut?
McKenna was pointless, minus-2 and recorded one shot on goal in 15:19 as Toronto lost 3-2 to Montreal.
Why is Brock Faber out indefinitely?
Faber underwent surgery Sunday for a skull fracture suffered when he was hit in the head by a Miro Heiskanen shot during a pre-season game against Dallas.
Who is Ottawa’s new captain?
Thomas Chabot was named Senators captain, replacing Brady Tkachuk.
What was Edmonton’s central issue in its opening loss?
Mike Babcock said the Oilers had serious work to do after defensive lapses contributed to a 6-5 overtime loss to Vancouver.
FAN PULSE
Which opening-week storyline will have the biggest effect on its team?
A) Kirill Marchenko settling quickly in Toronto.
B) Edmonton tightening its defensive structure.
C) Minnesota adapting to Brock Faber’s absence.