The Kirill Marchenko clan (cat included) adjusts to a new home with the Maple Leafs — and looks for one - Toronto Star

Top-line forward Marchenko, with his wife and cat for support, lands in the centre of the hockey universe.

The Leafs’ top line with newcomer Kirill Marchenko is still  searching for its first goal of the season.

The newest Maple Leaf, Kirill Marchenko, finally got to practice with his new team on Friday.

The Russian winger arrived in time to play Tuesday’s season opener against the Montreal Canadiens. There wasn’t even a morning skate before the second game against the New York Islanders on Wednesday. Thursday was a day off from the whirlwind introduction.

“I was able to relax a little bit,” said Marchenko. “I played with my cat and tried not to think about hockey too much, especially after the last two games.”

His wife Viktoria is also with him, navigating Toronto and trying to find a place to live.

“My cat (Alex) is here, my wife is here, they support me and help me. That’s important.”

“There’s a lot more that goes on outside the rink,” said Leafs defenceman Troy Stecher, with his seventh NHL team. “That’s where the stress and added pressure comes from. Guys are trying to find new houses, or trying to find school districts if they have kids, or maybe their wives are trying to find new jobs. It’s going to take some games and some practice to feel confident in your systems.”

Marchenko agreed to a six-year contract extension worth $12.5 million (U.S.) per season starting next year. The trade also cost the Leafs top-line forward Matthew Knies, who scored twice in his debut with the Blue Jackets in Columbus.

Marchenko has landed on the top line with Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic, a unit that will still be looking for its first goal when the Ottawa Senators pay a visit Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena. They have looked terrific together, though — fast and creative with eight high-danger chances for and only one against. They’ve been in the offensive zone more than 70 per cent of the time, but have yet to actually score.

“Played two games with zero practice, kind of tough,” said Marchenko. “Happy to practise with the line today ... We have to build chemistry.”

Coach Jim Hiller saw the beginnings of that chemistry.

“I get the sense from (Marchenko) that he really just loves hockey, loves being out on the ice, he loves to practise,” said Hiller. “They’re going to have to find a little chemistry. They were able to accomplish that today.”

Marchenko shoots right and is playing in Knies’ old spot on left wing.

“In Russia, I grew up a left-winger,” he said. “It’s my side for my whole life. Only in NHL have I played right. It’s a little different, but the game right now is so fast, sometimes you’re in the middle, sometimes on the right. Doesn’t matter for me. Just happy to play.”

It doesn’t matter to Hiller, either.

“I prefer players on their offhand,” the coach said. “Not all of them like to play that way, but the ones that do have a lot of success. Everybody’s so aggressive now with pinches on the (boards), you can protect the puck a little bit better, you don’t expose it so much. And when you come in over the blue line, it’s easier to cut in on your forehand and be a threat to shoot in the middle.”

Hiller has delivered some of the same messages that former coach Craig Berube used: pass less, be more direct, create a little chaos.

“We’ve got to get pucks a little deeper at certain times and play a little more in the offensive zone,” said Hiller. “That’s the big solution. Right now we’re deferred a little bit, trying to find the perfect play. Nobody wants to be the selfish player, but I think we have to shoot the puck.”

The second line with John Tavares, William Nylander and rookie Gavin McKenna has struggled mightily. They haven’t had a high-danger chance at even strength and have been on the ice for nine against. Nylander was benched after a bad pinch led to an Islanders short-handed goal.

Hiller said he’ll keep Easton Cowan, off to a hot start, with Colton Sissons and Nick Paul.

“We really like the line,” said Hiller. “Sometimes you can overthink things, change things around. But you know what, they’re just good, so let’s keep them together.

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Kevin McGran is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow him on Bluesky @kevinmcgran