Reports of Montreal Canadiens trade offer for Matthew Knies disputed after initial claims surface
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
On Monday, Nick Kypreos reported that the Montreal Canadiens were interested in Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies, however that has since been disputed and casts doubt on what could have been a deadline blockbuster.
Kypreos also mentioned that Knies' name had popped up for other teams as well, however Elliotte Friedman came in with a new report that pours cold water over those fiery rumours.
What was originally reported regarding Knies and Montreal
It was mentioned that Montreal GM Kent Hughes had inquired about Knies, though no proposed package has been made publicly available:
There is a sense that the deal Kent Hughes was working on was with the Leafs I can tell you Matthew Knies' name was out there with multiple teams.
While that would have no doubt been a game-changing deal for both clubs, it seems that was grounded a lot more in fantasy than reality.
Who disputed the report and what they said
Elliotte Friedman chimed in on The FAN Hockey Show and mentioned he heard the same rumours however when he reached out to a source close to Montreal denied they had interest.
Friedman was trying to confirm things ahead of his Saturday's Headlines segment on Sportsnet before they went on air:
I heard all the reports, and I had a theory on Saturday and it wasn't true. I heard the same rumours Nick heard, I think Renaud (Lavoie) spoke about it in Montreal.
They were denied to me.
They were denied to me.
He also noted that while the rumours were debunked, there is 'some smoke' so both team may circle back in the future.
Friedman is known for being extremely close with top sources, and if he's saying that the rumour was bunk, we need to take it at face value.
Knies' value to the Maple Leafs remains regardless of whether Montreal called
Disputed rumour or not, the fact that Knies' name popped up shows that teams certainly see the potential in him and at only 23 he's got so much room to grow still.
On a reasonable contract ($7.75-million), having 51 points including 35 assists and still adding that unique blend of speed, scoring and physicality; there's a reason he would be floated in rumours.
Matthew Knies is going to be a huge factor going forward for the Maple Leafs and they need him a lot more than any pieces he could bring in, and it sounds like whoever calls won't be able to pay the price.
More details to come.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Maple Leafs rejected Montreal Canadiens' trade offer for Matthew Knies: 'It's a business'
Maple Leafs rejected Montreal Canadiens' trade offer for Matthew Knies: 'It's a business'
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 10|1007 ANSWERS Reports of Montreal Canadiens trade offer for Matthew Knies disputed after initial claims surface Do you think Toronto will ever trade Matthew Knies? | ||
| Yes | 363 | 36 % |
| No | 644 | 64 % |
| List of polls | ||