Matthew Knies sticks it to the Leafs one more time after setting Blue Jackets record

The Maple Leafs are still haunted by the Matthew Knies trade especially after he's already etched his name into the record books for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

We can all say that the Matthew Knies trade was one that took us all off guard. Not only because it was a blockbuster involving two stars, but it came only weeks after Maple Leafs GM John Chayka proudly stated that Knies was a key part of the future.

That is no longer the case, as the young power forward has quickly turned himself into a focal point of the Blue Jackets' offence. He fits like a glove, and while Maple Leafs fans are still reeling from the news - at least Kirill Marchenko is doing his damndest to prove that trade was worth it.

Matthew Knies already setting records in Columbus

But that hasn't stopped Knies from sticking it to his old team, and after a three-point performance in his debut, he etched his name into the record books.

In scoring twice and adding a helper in Columbus' first game of the 2026-27 season, Knies tied the record set by a debuting Blue Jackets player, tying Artemi Panarin who had three assists in his first game with the club.

Knies also added another helper in Columbus' game on Saturday, giving him four points in two games and showing that he was ready to do damage this season regardless of what team he ended up lining up for.

Knies would continue to write his name in the Blue Jackets' history books if he were to hit 42 goals this year, which eclipses Rick Nash and Cam Atkinson's franchise-leading 41 goals. At his current pace, he would set the record for the most points in a season as well, which is held by Panarin (87).

He's got the talent to do it, and his chemistry early on with Adam Fantilli shows that the Blue Jackets may have a deadly duo that can terrorize the rest of the NHL for years to come - and it was all thanks to the Maple Leafs.

Toronto may now regret the Knies trade now, but they may later on

For all intents and purposes, the Maple Leafs got a fantastic player in Marchenko. He's got two points in three games including a helper on Toronto's first goal of the season. His chemistry with Auston Matthews is growing by the game, and they've been part of Toronto's best line early on.

But he's also someone with zero games experience in the playoffs and we won't know how he is going to produce. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets may not be competitive right now but they at least have a young player who already has 27 playoff games to his name (14 points) at only 23 years old.

If Knies continues to break records and be one of the best players on the ice night in and night out for the Blue Jackets, then Toronto may live to regret not keeping Knies because he was just about to break through his ceiling.

But it's too early to tell right though - and admittedly it might be a few years before we actually find out who cane out the winner overall.

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