Trade Talk Swirls, But Leafs Should Hold Firm on Matthew Knies

Barring a major rebuild, the Toronto Maple Leafs need to keep a core of point-producing players. That group includes Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies. Matthews remains the centerpiece, but Knies is quickly emerging as a close second for the future.

At just 23 years old, Knies has averaged over 60 points per season across the last two years. Notably, he missed a portion of the 2025–26 season due to injury, suggesting he could be poised for a breakout when fully healthy.

Knies is a physical presence whenever he’s on the ice. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, he uses his size effectively off the rush and in front of the net, fitting the mold of a true power forward.

Trade Talk

Knies was the subject of significant trade speculation leading up to the March deadline, and those discussions haven’t fully gone away. There’s still a possibility he could be part of a multi-team deal. If moved, Knies would likely command first-round draft picks—but why trade for futures when you already have a proven player? He’s essentially the equivalent of those picks, having already demonstrated his value in both the regular season and playoffs.

Friedman wrote in his latest 32 Thoughts column:

“Teams that showed serious interest in Matthew Knies included Anaheim, Chicago, Montreal, New Jersey and Utah. Everyone has denied that the Canadiens went far down the road, but … we’ll see. There were some teams who didn’t believe the Maple Leafs were serious about it, but now recognize the possibility.”

Keeping proven scorers is far more reliable than drafting or trading for players who may not pan out. Whether fans want immediate change or management feels pressure to act, short-term gains rarely outweigh long-term commitment. The Achilles’ heel for the Leafs has often been an unwillingness to stay patient with players and coaching staff.