Brad Marchand publicly mocks viral Maple Leafs trade and his comment is gaining attention
Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
NHLer and part-time social media agitator Brad Marchand slammed a Toronto Maple Leafs trade proposal.
An Instagram post discussed the potential of the Toronto Maple Leafs acquiring forward Elias Pettersson and a fifth round pick from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Matthew Knies, the 2026 first overall pick, and a second rounder.
Brad Marchand called a trade offer made by one user "terrible", poking fun at the trade offer, which the account notes was meant to be "satire".
It should be noted that the account calls itself a "Habs meme page", clearly trying to poke fun at the rival Leafs with a trade that sees Toronto move their top youngster in Knies, along with the top pick, for Pettersson.
The 27-year-old Pettersson had just 15 goals and 51 points this season on the bottom feeder Canucks, having cut his career high of 102 points in half from just three seasons ago.
Toronto may have been considering moving Matthew Knies and the top pick for 100+ point Elias Pettersson, but for a 50 point Pettersson at $11.6M until 2032, Toronto likely doesn't even hear it out.
Matthew Knies should not be a trade chip for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but a centerpiece
Beyond what appears to be a parody trade, very real reporting has suggested that the Toronto Maple Leafs have looked strongly at dealing Knies, but such a move may be a mistake.
Chicago has been the team heaviest linked to Knies, but no concrete rumors have emerged despite rumors continuing to persist, yet all trade scenarios for Knies weaken Toronto for next season.
Knies has been one of Toronto's leading contributors, and looking increasingly like a major part of the team's chances at long-term success.
The 23-year-old Knies has had a career year with 66 points on the season, 23 goals and 43 assists, and has emerged as a top line forward for Toronto this season.
Most of the rumors surrounding Knies came from the trade deadline under former GM Brad Treliving, and under John Chayka, it is speculation that should come to an end.
Moving Matthew Knies appears absurd, and even Brad Marchand laughs at rumors
Although Brad Marchand was likely laughing at the idea of the Leafs moving the top pick for Elias Pettersson, the real joke is Toronto moving on from Matthew Knies.
Toronto is already lacking youth talent, and having lucked in on what will likely be Gavin McKenna with their top pick, they now have a chance to slightly increase their contention window.
The Leafs have already been playing too slow this past season, a result of an aging team needing a youth punch. Moving Knies only exposes this roster as too old and slow for their own good.
It would be a mistake to move Matthew Knies for a Toronto Maple Leafs team needing fresh legs in the lineup, and looking to deal him is no laughing matter.
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