If teams want Matthew Knies, they are going to have to pay and according to Nick Kypreos it's going to cost them at least three premium pieces to even start talking.
We've heard several rumoured reports about Matthew Knies being targeted by various teams including the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks, however it was all hearsay and Knies is firmly expected to be part of the Maple Leafs lineup come the 2026-27 season.
He would bring back a pretty lucrative haul though, and as we've seen with the trade of Joseph Woll and the hiring of Jim Hiller, the Maple Leafs are a team who are full of surprises so at this point we really can't rule anything out.
Toronto's ask for Matthew Knies is going to be a massive haul that involves a top defender and a draft pick
But according to Nick Kypreos, the Maple Leafs are going to entertain an offer for Knies but are only going to start the conversation if teams approach with an appropriate package - one that contains a serious haul that would make some think twice:
Possibly a top-pair D, a first-rounder, and a secondary player... If they move [Matthew Knies] in the next few days, it'll be to get back into the draft.
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That right there is a pretty heavy package and depending on the players in return, could be the way John Chayka transforms the lineup. The addition of a first-rounder is interesting and depending on which teams he talks with, it could end up being in the top-15.
That would allow the team to get a very good prospect in a draft class loaded with them, while also shoring up the defensive side of things and adding potentially another mobile defender or a young promising forward.
Which teams make sense then for a Matthew Knies trade given Toronto's reported ask
If there is such big aspirations from the Maple Leafs with regard to trading Knies, then there are only going to be a handful of teams that can afford the package they are looking for.
The Rangers make sense as a team who could build their team around Knies, though if that's the case then it is going to cost them Adam Fox, the 26th overall pick in this year's draft, (and depending on situation) either Braden Schneider or Noah Laba.
Fox would instantly make Toronto's defence a threat, and he would give the top stars a playmaking star they've never had before. Schneider would be a great shutdown defender who would be great alongside newcomer Emil Andrae as a young one-two punch.
If forward is the way Toronto wants to go, adding Laba would be a great choice. He is a 22-year old centre who is a very solid defender, has offensive chops and would be a great bottom-six option to grow into a potential 2C/3C.
One other team that could pay for Knies is the New Jersey Devils, as they hold a few pieces that Toronto could use as well. Simon Nemec would be a great option to slot into the top-4, but if the Devils are holding onto him, then Dougie Hamilton as an alternative will work just fine.
In terms of picks, that would give the Maple Leafs the 12th overall pick and that's more than enough room to draft someone who can either step in right away or be a steal like Tommy Bleyl; who should go Top-15.
Then your secondary player could be Cody Glass, a centre who could fit seamlessly on the second, third or fourth line depending on the situation, is only 26 and is just coming off a 19-goal season.
You have a few options if you're Chayka and it sounds like he wants to make sure he ends up getting a bit more favourable draft positioning outside of the first overall pick. Adding some much needed pieces doesn't hurt either, but you're losing out on a potential superstar power forward.
That may not matter to John Chayka, and as we've seen in short order - anything can happen.
Should the Maple Leafs trade Matthew Knies
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