Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies. Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Canadiens insider reveals three players discussed in Matthew Knies trade return

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Jackson Weber | Last updated Mar 17, 2026 1:47 PM ET

Reports that the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs discussed a blockbuster trade involving Matthew Knies ahead of the deadline have been conflicting in the aftermath. That said, there’s been far too much smoke around the matter for these rumors to be nothing, so the hockey world continues to buzz about the possibility that a deal could come to fruition this offseason.

Montreal having interest in Knies makes a ton of sense, but the main question is what it could offer to convince Toronto to trade its young star winger to a bitter rival. According to Maxime Truman, three players who could have been involved — and still possibly could be — are Kirby Dach, David Reinbacher and Kaiden Guhle.

“When we heard Kent Hughes say last week that he had a deal on the table… a deal that didn’t happen, but that could be “revisited” during the summer, we all activated our contacts with the sole objective of finding out who the mystery (talented) player is who almost came to Montreal (and who could be traded there in June)," Truman wrote. "On Sunday evening, a good contact wrote to me: it was Matthew Knies. He also named some guys who were in the discussions on the Montreal side; guys who could have ended up in Toronto.

1. Kirby Dach. There’s no surprise here: Kirby Dach is no longer part of the Canadiens’ (important/major) plans. And he will be a restricted free agent this summer… 2. David Reinbacher. To give, one must receive. So, it’s not surprising to see the name of a guy like Reinbacher come up in such discussions… 3. Kaiden Guhle. With Dach and Reinbacher having a lower value than a few months/years ago, it’s understandable that the Maple Leafs would demand a guy like Guhle in return for Matthew Knies,”

The 23-year-old Knies is in year one of the six-year, $46.5 million extension he signed with the Maple Leafs this past summer, which includes no trade protection whatsoever, opening the door for a move to happen without him having any say.

Dach, Reinbacher and Guhle do make some sense as targets for Toronto — all 25 years old or younger and possessing plenty of talent and upside as highly drafted players.

Injuries make Dach a real risk, so if he were involved, there’s no doubt several other valuable assets would have to be included. Reinbacher and Guhle, on the other hand, are intriguing — especially as the Maple Leafs look to reshape their blue line.

Toronto very well might — and probably should — ask for more in a trade for Knies. However, if Kent Hughes and Brad Treliving connect on a blockbuster deal this summer, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see one or multiple of these names included in the return package.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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