NHL analysts Chris Johnston and Darren Dreger recently weighed in on the trade deadline rumors involving Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies, specifically addressing speculation about the Montreal Canadiens.
Journalist Bryan Hayes initiated the discussion, asking about the truth behind reports that the Leafs and Canadiens were in talks, and whether Matthew Knies’s name was genuinely part of these conversations. He sought clarity on the actual discussions.
Johnston confirmed that the Maple Leafs indeed had discussions where Matthew Knies was mentioned. However, he believes the proximity to a finalized deal has been somewhat exaggerated in various reports. Johnston indicated he did not get the impression that the Leafs were in the final stages of completing a trade involving Knies.
He elaborated on the strategic reasons why the team would consider offers for Knies: “He has no protection in his contract. He’s probably the most valuable asset the Leafs have. I’m not saying by any stretch, he’s their best player. But if you got to a point at any stage where they’re trying to trade one of the players with a no-movement clause, they’re not as valuable on the market, because they’re going to dictate where they go. It’s not a true, you know, open process for bidding.”
Johnston concluded that it made sense for the Leafs to listen to inquiries about Knies, given the season’s context, to assess his market value. Despite no deal being close, he acknowledged that “everything was on the table effectively.” He also suggested that these discussions might be revisited in the future, regardless of who is making management decisions during the summer.
Dreger added that while most teams have a core group of “near-untouchable” players, this doesn’t deter other general managers from making calls, especially when they perceive a shift in an organization’s direction. He explained, “You make the call and you ask a what if question. You know, what if we were to put a real healthy package on the table for Matthew Knies? Would you listen?”
He confirmed that this exact scenario unfolded with the Montreal Canadiens. Dreger speculated that the Maple Leafs’ potential response would have been to inquire about the specific components of such a “healthy package,” perhaps including significant assets like Michael Hage and two first-round draft picks. He emphasized that a serious conversation would only commence with an “over-the-top” offer of that magnitude, which ultimately did not materialize.
Dreger also supported Johnston’s observation that a few other teams expressed interest. He referenced an instance where the Maple Leafs explored Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues, implying that Knies would likely have been part of any return package for a player of that caliber. Dreger clarified a crucial distinction: “Toronto at no point was ever shopping Matthew Knies.” Instead, the situation involved other general managers contacting the Leafs to determine what kind of deal it would take for them to even *consider* trading Knies, defining this as “where Knies and Maple Leafs were.”
