3 Teams That Could Circle Back to Attempt a Trade for Matthew Knies – The Hockey Writers –

The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline included several rumors that involved Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies. As soon as the deadline came and went, his name was suddenly everywhere. Apparently, Toronto dangled him at the last minute, and former Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving was listening. Ultimately, when the dust settled, Knies remained where he was.

Now, with the NHL Draft and free agency approaching, the Knies market looks like it could perk up again. New GM John Chayka just won the draft lottery and might add generational talent Gavin McKenna to an already skilled core. He’s got a decision to make. The question isn’t whether teams will circle back on Knies, but whether Chayka will listen.

Buffalo Sabres

Of all the teams connected to Knies, the Buffalo Sabres may be the most motivated to get a deal done this summer. According to Chad DeDominicis of Expected Buffalo, Buffalo was actively trying to acquire Knies at the trade deadline and had assembled a trade package similar to the one they used in pursuit of St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas. It was a multi-piece offer.

With Alex Tuch’s future in Buffalo uncertain — his contract status remains unresolved heading into free agency — the Sabres may wind up needing a top-six wing who can play alongside Tage Thompson and contribute real offensive and physical production. Knies, who posted 23 goals and 66 points across 79 games this season, fits that profile almost perfectly.

Buffalo has the pieces to make it work. Knies, 24 years old, is signed through 2030-31 on a team-friendly deal and is exactly the kind of player you take the risk to acquire. If Tuch takes off, don’t be surprised if Kekalainen is among the first calls Chayka receives this summer.

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal’s interest in Knies leaked out during the season, though the Leafs quickly shut down those initial discussions. The fit, however, hasn’t changed — it’s only gotten more obvious with how much closer the Canadiens are to contention than most people figured they’d be.

The Canadiens are no longer rebuilding, and their series against the Carolina Hurricanes proved they need a couple of pieces to truly contend. That might include a physically imposing forward who can score. Knies brings exactly what Montreal didn’t have against Carolina.

GM Kent Hughes said he wouldn’t mortgage core pieces to add someone that would help them in 2026-27. However, Knies is more than that. He’s locked in, which makes any deal involving the Canadiens fascinating. One scenario that has been floated involves 24-year-old defenseman Kaiden Guhle, along with Montreal’s 2026 first-round pick — a package that would give Toronto young defensive depth and draft capital at a time when the franchise is recalibrating.

If Toronto added Guhle to their own first-overall pick, that’s two big pieces.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks might be the wildcard here. They need someone to grow alongside Connor Bedard, and a genuine power forward would be a big get. Neither Frank Nazar nor Tyler Bertuzzi is the long-term co-star Bedard arguably needs.

Knies could be. The Blackhawks own the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and that selection could be a compelling centerpiece of a Knies offer. Any deal between Toronto and Chicago would have to start there, and Chicago has demonstrated a willingness to have the conversation.

Under GM Kyle Davidson, the Blackhawks are trying to accelerate their rebuild. Adding a 24-year-old top-six forward with six years remaining on his contract would signal that Chicago is ready to compete for real, not in a few seasons.

Any team looking at Knies has one thing in common: urgency. Each has a compelling need to get better quickly. They may be in different spots when it comes to current contention, but adding Knies helps boost each club in a significant way. John Chayka may ultimately decide the price is too high and Knies is too important to Toronto’s future. But if he listens — and the early signs suggest he will — these three franchises will be at the front of the line.