Blackhawks News & Rumors: Knies Robertson, & Rielly Trade Talk

At the trade deadline, Freidman reported, “Toronto is all about adding assets. Young players, prospects, picks. You name it, they want to hear about it. There aren’t a ton in the system, so they want to accumulate. Then, they can start figuring out their future — maybe use what they get to chase bigger fish.”

Knies was fourth on the Maple Leafs in goals (23) and third on the team in points (66) in 79 games. The Maple Leafs missed the playoffs, but he is a huge part of their team, and they gave Knies a six-year contract extension last July ($7.750 AAV).

But based on Friedman’s report, if the Maple Leafs are seeking assets, the Blackhawks have plenty. They have 17 draft picks in the next two drafts, and according to Scott Wheeler of The Athletic, they have the best prospect pool in the NHL. (from ‘Chicago Blackhawks are No. 1 in Scott Wheeler’s 2026 NHL prospect pool rankings- The Athletic – 4/10/2026)

A lot would go into Chicago pulling off a blockbuster Knies trade- starting with the question of his availability.

However, where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and knowing the caliber of player Knies is, it’s a storyline worth watching.

Robertson Enters Blackhawks Rumors

Speaking of Knies, how about another one: Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars. A top-five goal-scorer in the NHL this season (45 goals) will be a restricted free agent this summer.

Insider Frank Seravalli answered a question on his ‘Frankly Hockey’ show on Victory+ on April 14 with John Buccigross on the Blackhawks acquiring Knies and/or Robertson this offseason.

“I think starting with one would be a great start, and I did report a number of weeks back that the Blackhawks were one of the teams that had inquired about Matt Knies to the Toronto Maple Leafs. I don’t think Toronto was ever actually going to trade Knies. I think what they were looking for was one of those deals where you can accomplish an entire rebuild in one trade, which is really hard to do. And so I don’t think they ever got close, but signals the kind of player who may be a fit for Chicago moving forward, and the type of profile of player that they might be looking at.

And Robertson is such a fascinating case in Dallas. Like, I think if he’s going to stay, they’re going to need to get him right around what Mikko Rantanen is signed for at 12 (million) per year. And if not, if he’s truly set on saying, ‘Hey, look, the cap is rising in such a significant way’, which I don’t know how he has a hat to hang on, considering that last year when Rantanen signed, we already knew what these cap numbers were.

If not, if it’s much more than that, he’s going to be playing somewhere else next season.”

So, it’s possible the Stars re-sign Robertson. But hypothetically, if the Stars went in another direction, the Blackhawks currently have over $13 million in cap space, and according to PuckPedia, they are projected to have $40 million in cap space in 2026-27.

They will be re-signing Connor Bedard and are hoping to re-sign Ilya Mikheyev this summer. Nevertheless, they can make Robertson work.

There is a lot of offseason left, and many intangibles are involved. But it’s interesting to consider the different paths the Blackhawks can take to help elevate their team next season.

Morgan Rielly Link?

There was a report from David Pagnotta’s The Fourth Period linking the Blackhawks to Maple Leafs’ defenseman Morgan Rielly, stating:

“Rielly has four more seasons remaining on his contract after this one and comes with a $7.5 million salary cap hit. Teams like the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks and Seattle Kraken have been rumoured to have interest in him, should the Leafs look to move him.”

This is an interesting link. Rielly is 32 years old and has been with the Maple Leafs for his entire 13-year career. He had 36 points in 78 games and is their alternate captain.

The Blackhawks have looked for veteran defensemen to add over the last few summers. Especially considering the youth of their blue line, which got even younger after Connor Murphy was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. I think it’s plausible they add experience to the blue line to help keep them steady next season.

However, taking things with a grain of salt, I think Rielly’s contract might be too long for where the Blackhawks are right now, with all their young defensemen. Rielly also has a full no-movement clause that will become a 10-team no-trade clause in the final two years of his contract. So, not sure of the fit.

But if there is one thing we know about the offseason is that you never know what will happen.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated with ‘Blackhawks News & Rumors’ all offseason!