Chicago Blackhawks could trade for this 23-year-old player during the offseason

Bleacher Report’s Adam Gretz wrote an article discussing a trade or signing each NHL team can do this offseason. For the Blackhawks, Gretz suggested they trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs for left winger Matthew Knies. Below is the reasoning he wrote for this deal:

“Knies is a top-line power forward, under contract at a fair rate for several more years, and would instantly be a potential difference-making forward on a team that needs it. Toronto might also be looking to move him to get more long-term assets into the organization as John Chayka tries to rebuild it. Could he get the No. 4 overall pick for Knies? Would Chicago do that? It shouldn’t be off the table. Especially since they are likely to miss out on the Gavin McKenna/Ivar Stenberg duo at the top. Get some help for Connor Bedard. Get some help that can grow with him.”

Knies is under contract for five more seasons with a $7.75 million annual cap hit, so Chicago would have Knies for a handful of years. Having him and Bedard as a duo on the ice would be phenomenal to grow together. Knies is coming off a career season as he recorded 66 points (23 goals, 43 assists) in 79 games. The second-round pick from 2021 has shown improvement, and if the Maple Leafs want to move on, there are certainly going to be suitors.

Chicago has the cap space and the ability to send a respectable trade package. It will be intriguing to see what they are willing to send off and if a trade could happen between these teams.