The Toronto Maple Leafs are catching heat over a reported Matthew Knies trade decision that could’ve reshaped their playoff fortunes, and it’s NHL analyst Jesse Blake leading the charge.
On The Jesse Blake Sports Report, the outspoken host criticized the Leafs for allegedly turning down a blockbuster deal that would have landed them superstar winger Mikko Rantanen in exchange for promising 22-year-old Knies.
The kicker? Rantanen was reportedly willing to sign an eight-year, $96 million extension.
NHL Expert Jesse Blake Rips Leafs for Passing on Mikko Rantanen – Matthew Knies Trade
“I think there’s a case where you should have done the Matthew Knies for Mikko Rantanen deal,” Blake said, addressing the growing frustration among fans and media. “Matthew Knies is great. He’s not Mikko Rantanen.”
The Maple Leafs SHOULD HAVE traded Matthew Knies for Mikko Rantanen this season. @JesseBlake explains why #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/NOHHyaMjDO
— Drew Livingstone (@ProducerDrew_)
Blake emphasized the win-now opportunity Toronto let slip by. He argued that Rantanen, who’s scored over 100 points and has a proven playoff track record, would’ve instantly elevated the Leafs’ top six, particularly alongside Mitch Marner.
“We’re at the point now where it’s about winning this season and having a team with Marner and Rantanen and Willy and Matthews seems like a better shot at winning than their current construction where they lost.”
The analyst didn’t downplay Knies’ talent or value but questioned the Leafs’ risk-averse approach. He described the 22-year-old as a player who might become great, while Rantanen is a player who already is.
“I think Brad Treliving should have made that deal. I think he made a mistake,” he concluded.
Blake’s comments have added fuel to an already heated debate in Toronto, where early playoff exits have fans clamoring for bolder moves.
Leafs’ Front Office Stood Firm Even for a Superstar
The trade rumor first surfaced through NHL insiders Elliotte Friedman and Nick Kypreos, who reported that Rantanen was available before the deadline and willing to sign long-term. However, Toronto reportedly refused to include Knies in the package, making the deal a non-starter.
Friedman reinforced that sentiment on 32 Thoughts, stating that Toronto “wasn’t willing to move Knies under any circumstances,” despite the chance to acquire an elite, playoff-proven scorer.
Knies’ numbers back up the Leafs’ long-term faith. In his first full NHL season, he posted 29 goals and 29 assists in 78 games, along with seven playoff points. His physical style, 182 hits, earned comparisons to Tom Wilson and Brady Tkachuk.
Even as his entry-level contract expires on July 1, Knies signaled his commitment to Toronto.
“I want to be here,” Knies told reporters. “That’s all that matters to me.”
Rantanen, drafted 10th overall in 2015, eventually left Colorado after extension talks fell through. The Avalanche balked at his $14 million AAV demand, prompting a series of trades that landed him in Dallas, where he finally got his eight-year, $96 million deal.
Toronto’s refusal to pursue that same opportunity has reignited criticism about the franchise’s lack of urgency. With Marner reportedly unwilling to waive his no-move clause and the team still searching for postseason success, questions are growing louder about the direction of the Leafs’ core.
In the end, Toronto doubled down on youth and internal development. Whether that gamble pays off remains to be seen.