NHL Rumors: Matthew Knies May Not Have Been Who Canadiens GM Was Referring To

Montreal Canadiens GM May Not Have Been Hinting About Matthew Knies in His Post-Trade Deadline Presser

Recent speculation regarding Matthew Knies being a potential trade target for the Montreal Canadiens prior to the trade deadline has received clarification. While there were indeed discussions between the Canadiens and Maple Leafs, it appears Knies might not have been the specific player Canadiens GM Kent Hughes alluded to in his post-deadline comments regarding a significant deal. Nonetheless, the reported high asking price for Knies, said to be equivalent to three first-round picks, would necessitate serious consideration for any potential offer.

During a discussion, Nick Alberga pressed for more details on the Knies rumors, highlighting the intense fan interest in Montreal. He questioned how close a deal truly was and if Knies was genuinely available on the trade market, reflecting widespread speculation.

Sources confirm that the Canadiens and Maple Leafs did engage in conversations concerning Matthew Knies, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson's name was also mentioned at an earlier point. However, multiple reports indicate that Knies was not the primary target Kent Hughes was referring to when discussing a significant trade. This suggests that Knies was likely not the player the Canadiens were nearing an agreement on.

Maple Leafs Matthew Knies Trade Value Insights

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Montreal's specific interest, several teams reportedly engaged in conversations with Toronto throughout the week concerning potential trades. The high asking price for Knies—a package equivalent to three first-round assets—would demand serious consideration from any interested club.

This valuation is comparable to other significant trade discussions; for instance, Jordan Kyrou was valued at three assets, and Robert Thomas commanded four pieces. Such multi-asset returns, often involving multiple first-round picks or equivalent prospects, are typical for high-impact players.

Knies's value is perceived to be in the range of three such assets, similar to Kyrou's. Any team prepared to meet that high asking price would undoubtedly warrant Toronto's attention for a potential deal.