The Toronto Maple Leafs are at the center of another league-wide conversation, but this time it’s not about Auston Matthews. Instead, attention is focused on a young forward whose value appears to be rising by the day as rival teams circle.
Interest from across the NHL has turned what once seemed like a long-shot discussion into a situation worth monitoring closely. This spotlight has also placed the Montreal Canadiens in an intriguing spot as the market begins to take shape.
Canadiens Insider Reveals Montreal’s Position in Matthew Knies Sweepstakes
Matthew Knies has become one of the most intriguing names on the trade market, even if the Maple Leafs are not actively pushing to move him. According to Canadiens insider Marco D’Amico, discussions involving the 23-year-old winger have picked up significantly, with multiple teams exploring what it would take to pry him away from Toronto.
D’Amico first reported on X that “Matthew Knies looks very much in play at this point. Leafs not assured to move him, but talks are intensifying there too.” This update immediately fueled speculation around several interested teams, particularly the Montreal Canadiens.
The Athletic’s Chris Johnston also lent credence to the Knies rumors, reporting, “The more his name works itself through the rumor mill, the more likely it seems that the Leafs have committed to moving on here.
“He’s a rare commodity on the trade market, and Toronto seems focused on taking advantage of that scarcity. While the Leafs want to downplay the likelihood of a trade, rival executives believe there’s a move coming here.”
However, Montreal may not be leading the race.
D’Amico later provided additional context, writing, “Word of discussions with Buffalo and the 4th overall pick. San Jose also said to be of interest here as well. Montreal remains interested, but hard to compete with the above teams.”
This little detail paints a clearer picture of where the Canadiens currently stand. Montreal continues to view Knies as an attractive target after a previous attempt to acquire him fell apart at the trade deadline. Yet the Canadiens appear to be competing against teams carrying significant draft capital and premium assets.
Buffalo has emerged as a serious contender after obtaining the No. 4 overall selection. The Sabres reportedly see value in acquiring an NHL-ready top-six forward rather than waiting for a prospect to develop. Meanwhile, San Jose possesses both high draft picks and a deep prospect pool, giving the Sharks flexibility to construct a compelling offer.
The reason Toronto is even entertaining these conversations comes down to Knies’ unique position within the organization. Unlike several established members of the roster, he does not hold trade protection until the last year of his six-year, $46.5 million contract.
This flexibility allows Toronto to evaluate whether a rival team is willing to make a godfather offer.
From a production standpoint, Knies strengthened his value this season. He recorded 23 goals and 43 assists for 66 points in 79 games while bringing a physical edge with 152 hits, despite carrying an injury. At 23 years old, he remains one of the league’s more appealing young power forwards.
Despite the speculation, Knies made his own feelings clear earlier this year. Speaking with Sportsnet’s Sonny Sachdeva in April, he said, “I’d love to stay here. I want to play here.” He added that trade decisions are made by management and that his focus remains on helping the team win.
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For now, Montreal remains in the conversation. Whether it can outbid Buffalo or San Jose is another matter altogether.
