Team USA GM Bill Guerin scouted Leafs-Canadiens, but the timing raises questions with Matthew Knies injured

Bill Guerin, General Manager of the Minnesota Wild, was in attendance of the Toronto Maple Leafs game against the Montreal Canadiens Saturday.

Minnesota are a team in the playoff hunt at 11-7-4, third in the Central Division, and could have an eye somewhere on Toronto's roster if the Leafs continue to struggle closer to the trade deadline.

But as well, Guerin is in charge of the USA National Hockey team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, and has been working to determine the full extent of the American roster.

Bill Guerin could be in Montreal to look at both rosters to get an in-game look at some potential options for the upcoming Olympics.

For Montreal, defenseman Lane Hutson was a late addition to the USA preliminary roster as a potential roster pick for the team.

Bill Guerin admitted that Hutson does still have a lot left to prove to make the team, with the 21-year-old competing against a strong American defensive crop.

Elsewhere, Guerin could be looking at some options for the Leafs. With Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to miss 4-6 weeks with a knee issue, Joseph Woll may be an option for one of the three American netminders if Hellebuyck isn't available by then.

But if he's there for the Olympics, Bill Guerin will not be seeing one player tonight on the ice in Matthew Knies, currently out due to an unknown lingering issue.

Bill Guerin won't get a chance to see the injured Matthew Knies tonight, and it makes his case for the roster all the more difficult.

Fellow American Auston Matthews, who is also injured, is already locked into the roster as one of the first six players chosen to represent the team, but players such as Knies still have to earn their spot.

With the eyes on Toronto from Bill Guerin, he won't get a chance to see Knies live in NHL action, but he will see American Cole Caufield tonight, someone who provides a challenge to Knies making the roster.

Knies will have to prove himself when he comes back from injury, and cement his status quick to show he is indeed one of the Americans best forwards.