Toronto and Dallas are discussing Matthew Knies with Jason Robertson at the center of it

In a surprising twist in the trade rumour mill, the Maple Leafs and Stars are reportedly looking at a deal involving both Matthew Knies and RFA Jason Robertson.

While nothing concrete has come out of the Matthew Knies rumor mill over the past couple of weeks, it hasn't stopped both the Maple Leafs from listening to offers nor has it stopped teams from trying to see what package could entice John Chayka to actually pull the trigger.

Frank Seravalli reports that the team is looking for another Top-10 pick and this echoes pretty much every report that involves a Knies deal. Nothing can happen or will happen unless Toronto shoots up in the draft to add another young superstar prospect (or Zach Werenski, but who wouldn't?)

Toronto discussing three-team trade with Dallas and Seattle to land the 7th overall pick

But Seravalli is also reporting that the Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars were holding preliminary discussions involving Jason Robertson and Knies. Now, this wouldn't actually be Toronto adding Robertson no - but instead benefitting from a three way deal:

As I've reported, #Leafs are seeking another Top 10 pick in 2026 #NHLDraft. Sources say Toronto and Dallas had talks about Stars potentially flipping No. 7 overall from #SeaKraken in a deal for Matthew Knies to help replace Jason Robertson.

All part of Thursday's shrapnel.

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Seravalli added onto this with him stating that if the Maple Leafs were going to trade Knies, it's going to be for an absolute haul that includes not only a Top-10 pick but also NHL-ready players who can step into the lineup right away:

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Of course Toronto wants a haul. Knies is 23 years old and just came off a career-high 66 points including 43 assists and 152 hits. Over the past two seasons he has 52 goals, 124 points, and 334 hits while averaging only 18:39 TOI.

Not to mention he's signed to a very reasonable contract at $7.75-million per year which will only appreciate as the salary cap rises. He's got the skills, he's got a good contract and he's young - a haul is the only thing you go after.

This is the third Top-10 pick Chayka has gone after with Knies as the bargaining chip

It's certainly an interesting way to go about things. We heard the stunning news that Robertson rejected a ludicrous $15-million AAV salary via offer sheet to head to Seattle but he was adamant that he did not want to sign, and rejected it to everyone's surprise.

So this may be the only way for the Kraken to bring him in as they can trade the 7th overall pick to Dallas for his signing rights (plus whatever else) then the Stars can in turn flip that pick to the Maple Leafs and give them their desired Top-10 pick.

Though that effort may prove fruitless according to Andy Strickland simply because well...they already told Knies they were keeping him:

The expectation is that Matthew Knies will remain a Leaf and stay in Toronto. Price tag to get him is extremely high. Chayka has made it clear to Knies they haven't engaged in any talks that would have them close to trading him.

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Obviously Knies is the biggest negotiation piece besides that first overall pick and heaven above knows that Chayka would be insane to trade that away unless it brought you a Connor McDavid, Cale Makar, or Macklin Celebrini so, why not throw out a line and see what may bite?

But for fans who are anxious about Knies sticking around, it doesn't seem like we have anything to worry about. Though the NHL Draft is still a few hours away so I guess we can never say never.

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