\u201cIt was a great pass from William (Nylander), but it bounced,\u201d Marchenko lamented. \u201cBut today I think about playing Buffalo (and not) what happened in the past. It stays there.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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For all the attention heaped on Marchenko after the late-training-camp trade with Columbus for Matthew Knies and the Leafs immediately elevating him to the first line with centre Auston Matthews<\/a>, coach Jim Hiller has given indications of a shuffle. <\/p>\n Marchenko could see time with centre John Tavares as Hiller takes full advantage of Nylander, a right winger who is truly hot and well-versed with Matthews.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so excited to play with both (centres), it doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Marchenko insisted ahead of the Buffalo game. \u201cTwo unbelievable guys who support me. I\u2019d just like to find some chemistry together and do our best. Our first goal is win the games, with John or Matts.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n<\/p>\n How can the Leafs and Marchenko find a balance?<\/p>\n Hiller continues to balance pushing Marchenko versus letting him organically adjust to the Leafs. While every point in the standings is vital in October, there\u2019s no rush to judgement with Marchenko, given his six-year $75-million US contract<\/a> that marked his arrival.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a little bit of the art of coaching,\u201d Hiller said. \u201cSometimes you hope you get it right and sometimes you don\u2019t. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cYou just try and get a feel for the person, make sure they\u2019re getting the support they need and at the same time, how they can get better. Everyone has a different way. You can\u2019t overwhelm the player, you just have to find the sweet spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe cares deeply about his game, about being a good teammate. I\u2019m trying not to put much pressure on him because he\u2019s putting a lot on himself. He\u2019s used to being a little more dangerous (versus one cog of a potent offence) and maybe that\u2019s what he\u2019s putting on himself. We just want him to be a good all-around player. We know he\u2019s skilled, that he\u2019s going to score and create chances. We just want him to be comfortable, like he understands the system.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n How Leafs’ Auston Matthews, William Nylander are responding to increased ice time<\/p>\n <\/a> SIMMONS: Why the Maple Leafs are in trouble if Chris Tanev is out for long<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Thursday was to be Marchenko\u2019s 300th NHL game, with 214 points so far<\/a> for the second-round pick of the Blue Jackets in 2018. No other player from that round has as many to date. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a good time,\u201d Marchenko said of his NHL journey, \u201cbut I hope it will be better.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"T.J.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1015-auston-matthews-maple-leafs-avalanche.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Chris](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1015-chris-tanev-maple-leafs.jpg\")
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