The Matthew Knies saga just took a stunning turn and fans are loving this
Nick Kypreos: Re Matthew Knies/Maple Leafs: Chicago, Montreal, Buffalo and most recently Dallas and Columbus are poking around. With Knies having zero trade protection, I don’t hear this trade noise on him slowing down – Sportsnet (7/1)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 2, 2026
Unless the asking price is outrageous or the team is at least willing to hear, players like that often don’t remain in trade talks for very long. This one feels alive because of it.
Additionally, Toronto is well aware of its resources. Knies is already under contract for $46.5 million over six years, expiring in 2030–31. Therefore, any club that phones is inquiring about a top-six winger with a controlled contract, not a rental.
The market remains popular primarily because of that contract. The deal has no trade protection, therefore rival teams don’t have to worry about a forbidden location before phoning.
“Nick Kypreos: Regarding the Maple Leafs and Matthew Knies, Chicago, Montreal, Buffalo, and most recently Dallas and Columbus are expressing interest. Sportsnet (7/1) states, “Because Knies has no trade protection, I don’t anticipate this trade chatter about him to subside.”
The Matthew Knies narrative has taken a big new turn.
This is the strongest aspect of this. If Toronto ever decides to transfer Knies, they are not negotiating from a position of weakness; John Chayka is still reorganizing the team, and Hiller is new.
Due to the fact that it has been pursuing elite young assistance, Buffalo is the clear choice. Dallas and Columbus both have motivations to pursue a big winger if the cost can be met, and Montreal fits since it has been searching for impact additions. Chicago is the wild card since it still has room and resources to swing.
The side that is more difficult is Toronto. Knies was one of the few Leafs forwards last season who appeared to be a long-term member regardless of other changes around him. Team stats from NHL.com indicate that among Toronto forwards, only William Nylander scored more than his 66 points.
Because of this, it doesn’t seem like ordinary offseason gossip. Typically, if teams continue to circle a player as helpful as this one, it suggests that the league thinks the Leafs might still be enticed by a suitable hockey trade.
And that comeback would be painful. You only move a winger who has Knies’ age, size, contract, and production if the trade immediately changes your team.
The trade noise around Matthew Knies isn’t dying down for one reason: too many clubs perceive the same things that Toronto does. He is young, productive, under control, and exactly the kind of forward hard teams try to steal when a front office is still reworking its roster.
