Three blockbusters the Maple Leafs could consider for Matthew Knies this summer
Photo credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
David Pagnotta says Toronto needs three first-round calibre assets to move Matthew Knies which few teams can afford. But here's three who could, and why they make more sense than you think.
Rumours swirled at the trade deadline that the Toronto Maple Leafs had discussions with the Montreal Canadiens regarding Matthew Knies. Though those were debunked pretty swiftly, it did lead to a lot of thinking for fans about what a Knies trade could actually look like.
It's not often you have a 23-year old blossoming superstar in trade rumours, and the package to acquire him would have to be hefty especially knowing that Knies is a big part of the now and the future.
He's someone you can build around and you can't let him go for cheap.
So with that being said, this summer holds a lot of unknowns for the Maple Leafs and if they were to entertain serious change - trading Knies would do it.
There's a requirement though according to David Pagnotta, and there are certain pieces that need to be included in a deal before Toronto even takes a look at the offer:
I think if Toronto got three assets back for Matthew Knies, three first round calibre assets. A variation of: elite prospect, first round pick and another top tier prospect...then I think they would've pulled the trigger. - DFO Rundown (03.18.26)
Elliotte Friedman on Thursday confirmed Pagnotta's reporting on ''32 Thoughts' about the Knies to Montreal deal being inaccurate. Friedman noted that Montreal had interest, but no deal was close for Knies. Other teams who had known interest according to Friedman are Anaheim, Chicago, Utah, & New Jersey.
Certainly a hefty haul indeed, and very few teams can afford to give that up for the chance to add Knies, but there are still options so let's take a look at three serious offers.
Montreal offers a top-pairing anchor and John Tavares replacement in one fell swoop
To Montreal:
(F) Matthew Knies
To Toronto:
(D) Kaiden Guhle
(C) Owen Beck
2027 First-Round Pick
(C) Owen Beck
2027 First-Round Pick
Going back to the Canadiens, if they were to offer something for Knies it would have to be huge especially given they are trading with a fierce rival. While Alexander Zharovsky would be the perfect addition, it's really hard to see Kent Hughes parting with him.
Instead, Montreal could offer Toronto the defensive help they need with Kaiden Guhle, who would offer a younger and better replacement for Brandon Carlo up top, and with the potential to bring in Keaton Verhoeff this summer - that's a combination that feeds families.
Guhle, 24, has seven points in 27 games as he's missed quite a bit of time with injuries but when he's on the ice he's as effective as ever. He has 65 points, 422 blocks, and 384 hits in 196 games and is a great anchor on the backend.
On top of that, Montreal adds 22-year-old Owen Beck to the mix, as he comes in and immediately becomes the future 2C. He doesn't have much NHL experience but is a speedy, two-way centre with tons of room to grow.
Imagine him and Easton Cowan together and what magic they could create for years to come; add Knies, Guhle, Verhoeff, Ben Danford, Miroslav Holinka...suddenly you have a really strong young core.
Then Montreal adds a 2027 first-rounder almost as a formality, and they're likely not going to free-fall so soon and would afford to give up that piece to bring in Knies for the next half-decade.
Utah can offer a 'Mammoth' package for Knies to bring him in
To Utah:
(F) Matthew Knies
To Toronto:
(D) Dmitri Simashev
(F) Daniil But
2028 First-Round Pick
(F) Daniil But
2028 First-Round Pick
If you want the next rangy, shutdown guy who reminds fans most of Chris Tanev (in a good way) then Toronto acquiring Simashev would do wonders in that regard.
He's 6'5, 21 years old, plays exceptional man on man defence, and he's fast enough to keep up with stars and smart enough to play the right angles. This is someone who uses all of his frame to generate powerful strides and create havoc for the opponent.
He's also not afraid to let it fly from the point and for someone so gifted on defence has a knack for getting his points too.
But comes in and replaces Knies both in scoring and size. At 6'6, 216-pounds and also 21, he's still got room to add some beef.
He's someone who much like Knies is a much better playmaker than his someone his size would have, can finish anywhere on the ice, and successful at the KHL level.
Again, much like Montreal's deal, the first is a formality as Toronto is going to want to stockpile as many premium draft assets as possible. If not to use them at the draft, but also to make sure they have some extra ammunition for future trades.
Connor Bedard finds his next running mate for a decade
To Chicago:
(F) Matthew Knies
To Toronto:
(C) Frank Nazar
(D) Sam Rinzel
2027 First-Round Pick (TB)
(D) Sam Rinzel
2027 First-Round Pick (TB)
Hey, you wanna see the next Toews and Kane? Then this deal is for you! Jokes aside, having a new two-man power couple of Knies and Bedard would bring a lot of excitement and hope for the Blackhawks.
Knies can score, pass and hit with the best of them, and Connor Bedard is a generational talent. Those two could combine for video game-esque point totals and the emergence of other young talent like Sacha Boisvert, Artyom Levshunov, and Wyatt Kaiser - Chicago's future pipeline is stacked.
Toronto gets Nazar, who is a young exciting pivot who much like Beck would replace Tavares at the 2C. He's only 22, just signed a long-term extension on a reasonable deal similar to Knies, but an offensive maestro.
It's what he does that you don't see which makes him so good, and he's years from his prime. With the right coaching and mentorship - we could see something special.
Rinzel, 21, is another big body at 6'4 though slightly smaller at 194 pounds. But he uses all of that frame to generate immense power and strength with his shot. Toronto has had serious issues with shooting from the point and Rinzel immediately solves that.
Oh, and did we mention that you're also adding two young American players who would no doubt find chemistry with Auston Matthews. It's a win-win for both teams.
From where it stands, any of these three deals transforms Toronto's rebuild overnight.
The question is whether MLSE has the nerve to pull the trigger and whether Matthew Knies ever forgives them if they do.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
The best defenseman in the 2026 draft wants to be a Maple Leaf and Toronto is 13 games from making it happen
The best defenseman in the 2026 draft wants to be a Maple Leaf and Toronto is 13 games from making it happen
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 19|968 ANSWERS Three blockbusters the Maple Leafs could consider for Matthew Knies this summer Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs will trade Matthew Knies? | ||
| Yes, they have to | 167 | 17.3 % |
| No, he's part of the future core | 801 | 82.7 % |
| List of polls | ||