As the Toronto Maple Leafs search for ways to reshape their roster following a disappointing season, Matthew Knies has emerged as one of the most frequently discussed names in trade speculation.
However, not everyone believes that is the right move. One NHL analyst is warning the Maple Leafs against trading Knies for a $12.5 million Stanley Cup champion, arguing the organization could regret parting with one of its most valuable young players.
Maple Leafs Face Major Decision on Matthew Knies
After finishing the season with a 32-36-14 record and missing the playoffs, the Maple Leafs entered the offseason with significant changes in leadership. John Chayka has taken over as general manager, while Jim Hiller was hired as head coach, giving the organization a new direction heading into 2026-27.
With Toronto looking to address weaknesses on the blue line, Knies has naturally surfaced in trade speculation because of the substantial value he could command on the market.
However, Sportsnet analyst Justin Bourne believes the Maple Leafs should be extremely cautious about any deal involving the young power forward.
“I don’t know much, but I do know that Bo Byrum cannot be the key piece in return for a Matthew Knies trade. (Though maybe better than the lineup of teams going ‘Boy this skilled D we drafted looks like they may not pan out, maybe we can trade them while they still have value!’),” Bourne wrote.
Byram, a defenseman with the Buffalo Sabres, won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 and has one year remaining on his two-year, $12.5 million contract. The 24-year-old is coming off a productive season in which he recorded 42 points and a plus-15 rating, adding seven points in 13 playoff games.
Despite those numbers, Bourne believes Byram is being overvalued in trade discussions involving Knies.
“Finally, a guy improperly cast as a 1D because they skate and pass it, why, he’s like a young Morgan Rielly! (Who apparently wants ~$10m a year) This is about Knies. It’s not a garage sale. You shouldn’t trade him! Unless everyone’s like, WOW, you’re gonna lose the deal,” Bourne said.
Bourne argued that the Maple Leafs are not in a position where they need to move Knies simply to address another area of the roster. Instead, he believes any potential trade should deliver a return that clearly favors Toronto, rather than one built around a player whose long-term value remains a topic of debate.
For now, Knies remains a central piece of the Maple Leafs’ future, and any decision involving him is likely to be among the most closely watched storylines of the offseason, especially given the fact that he’s John Chayka’s most valuable trade chip.
