The Toronto Maple Leafs may have finally caught a break at the perfect time. After a disastrous season that ended with the team at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, Toronto stunned the hockey world by winning the NHL Draft Lottery and securing the No. 1 overall pick.
But while the excitement around the franchise continues to grow, another major storyline is beginning to heat up: the future of the Leafs’ $46,500,000 star.
Maple Leafs Face Big Decision on $46.5M Forward
The player at the center of the speculation is Matthew Knies, who just completed the first season of his six-year, $46.5 million contract.
Trade rumors surrounding Knies intensified around the March trade deadline, but Toronto ultimately decided to stand pat. Now, with the Leafs expected to retool in hopes of becoming contenders again, those rumors are heating up once more.
There’s also a growing belief around the league that, after earning the chance to draft projected top prospect Gavin McKenna, Toronto could consider moving some pieces to get younger and improve its blue line.
NHL insider Marco D’Amico weighed in on Knies’ future, noting, “I think one of the players that maybe broke the Toronto market for potentially not being available, but at least being available to be listened on, was Matthew Knies.”
Fellow insider David Pagnotta agreed, but added Toronto would only consider moving Knies if the return was overwhelming. “If somebody offers you a king’s ransom and some, then you have to consider it. But barring that, I think getting the first overall pick definitely helps in that situation,” Pagnotta said.
Pagnotta also mentioned that teams like Montreal, Chicago, Utah, and a few others had previously shown interest, and that Chicago could still make a push for Knies this offseason.
Why a Knies Trade Still Feels Unlikely
Despite all the speculation, there are several reasons why Toronto may choose to keep Knies.
The 23-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, posting 23 goals and 43 assists for 66 points in 78 games. He has quickly developed into a legitimate top-line power forward and an important piece of the Leafs’ core moving forward.
Earlier this month, Knies also went viral during a Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game 6 playoff game after the Jumbotron showed him chugging his drink, drawing a huge reaction online. Many fans saw the moment, along with his emotional celebration of RJ Barrett’s buzzer-beater, as a sign that he genuinely enjoys playing in Toronto and wants to stay with the Maple Leafs.
MATTHEW KNIES BEER CHUG ON THE BIG SCREEN AT THE RAPS GAME 💪😅
Via @Sportsnet #leafsforever pic.twitter.com/Re0dUoXc0s
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) May 2, 2026
For now, it remains to be seen how aggressive Toronto will be this offseason, but Knies appears to remain a major part of the team’s long-term plans, even if he’s their most valuable trade chip in a bare cabinet.
