Knies Blockbuster Possible, but Pricey

Is Matthew Knies available? A question many general managers around the NHL want to know. The Toronto Maple Leafs have set their asking price for the young forward. However, the price they’ve set may be pushing the limits of what rival teams are willing to pay.

So, what is the asking price? Well, it starts with a 2026 draft pick in the top 10. Barring any trades, the nine teams selecting with Toronto in the top ten are – San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken, Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, and Nashville Predators.

The ideal return for the Maple Leafs would also include a legitimate number-one defenseman and a secondary roster player. A steep price for any team to pay. However, Knies registered 23 goals and 43 assists for 66 points in 79 games last season. Toronto’s new GM, John Chayka, is not going to just give Knies away. Teams wanting Knies will need to send Chayka an offer he can’t refuse.

Knies is young (23), under team control (Five more years), and still getting better. For Toronto, parting with that kind of player only makes sense if the return is so overwhelming that it can justify the backlash Chayka will get from a fanbase that has grown attached to Knies.

Knies Blockbuster is Possible, but Highly Unlikely

What would a team currently in the top ten of the draft need to surrender to Toronto for Knies? One would assume that the higher the pick, the less it will cost in terms of players or prospects. The higher the pick, the less of a need for a top defenseman there is, as Toronto can draft one.

Nashville Predators:

• 10th Overall Pick
• Roman Josi
• Ross Colton

Ottawa Senators:

• 9th Overall Pick
• 25th Overall Pick
• Thomas Chabot

Winnipeg Jets:

• 8th Overall Pick
• Josh Morrissey
• Alex Iafallo

Seattle Kraken:

• 7th Overall Pick
• Vince Dunn
• Bobby McMann

Calgary Flames:

• 6th Overall Pick
• Kevin Bahl
• Morgan Frost

New York Rangers:

• 5th Overall Pick
• Vladislav Gavrikov
• Taylor Raddysh

Chicago Blackhawks:

• 4th Overall Pick
• 37th Overall Pick
• Alex Vlasic

Vancouver Canucks:

• 3rd Overall Pick
• 33rd Overall Pick
• Jake DeBrusk

San Jose Sharks:

• 2nd Overall Pick
• William Eklund

Those are realistic expectations as to what it will cost for any of these nine teams to acquire Matthew Knies. Toronto GM John Chayka is unlikely to back down from his stance, so teams will need to give up a king’s ransom. Otherwise, they do not need to pick up the phone.