Check out the latest on Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies and the latest Senators speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
MORE MATTHEW KNIES SPECULATION
TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes trading Matthew Knies would make sense for the Maple Leafs, even if it means shipping him to the Montreal Canadiens.
Knies is what Kypreos calls a unique combination of physicality and scoring. The 23-year-old winger is also on a team-friendly contract with an average annual value of $7.75 million through 2030-31. He also lacks no-trade protection until the final season of his deal.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthews Knies (NHL Images).
If the Maple Leafs want to make a big splash in the trade pool, shopping Knies would be easier to do than attempting to move Auston Matthews or William Nylander, who have full no-movement clauses. The Leafs would have complete control of trading the young power forward, which could give them better odds of landing high-end talent to help secure the club’s future.
The Canadiens have plenty of exciting young players to choose from, including center Michael Hage and defenseman David Reinbacher. Defenseman Kaiden Guhle and prospect center Owen Beck are names worth watching.
Kypreos also listed the Chicago Blackhawks and Utah Mammoth as possible trade partners. Like the Canadiens, they also possess promising youngsters who could be enticing to the Maple Leafs.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: William James recently suggested the Philadelphia Flyers should attempt to get into the bidding for Knies. He would bring a needed boost at left wing among their top-six forwards. James proposed dangling Noah Cates and/or Cam York in a trade offer.
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Ben Pope recently wondered if the Blackhawks might pursue Kines, St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas, or Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson.
Knies could be the best option of the three. Pope pointed to his youth, ongoing upside, and affordable contract. He also noted that the young winger is likely the Maple Leafs’ best trade chip to acquire draft picks and prospects.
The Blackhawks have plenty of salary cap space to take on Knies’ contract. Like the Canadiens and Mammoth, they have a deep pool of promising young players on their roster and within their system to draw on for trade bait.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Knies would be the Maple Leafs’ best trade chip for all the reasons cited by Kypreos, James, and Pope. That would explain why they reportedly floated the young winger’s name in the trade market to gauge his value.
Whether the Maple Leafs revisit that plan in the offseason depends on whoever is sitting in the general manager’s seat. Current Leafs GM Brad Treliving is in the final season of his contract, and it’s rumored he won’t be getting an extension.
If Treliving is let go, his replacement could decide that Knies is worth keeping and consider other options. Those could include moving Matthews or Nylander if they’re open to the idea.
UPDATE ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch believes adding a right-shot defenseman will be an offseason priority for the Senators.
GM Steve Staios scoured the market for such a blueliner before the March 6 trade deadline. His top target was MacKenzie Weegar, but the Calgary Flames traded him to the Utah Mammoth before the deadline.
Staios hasn’t ruled out promoting top prospect Carter Yakemchuk into that role.
DAILY FACEOFF: Tyler Yaremchuk and Brent Wallace wondered if there might be some changes for the Senators if they miss the playoffs this year.
Wallace expects defenseman Nick Jensen won’t be back, and he doesn’t see where veterans Lars Eller, Claude Giroux, or Nick Cousins fit in next year’s plans. He also doesn’t think that trading struggling starting goalie Linus Ullmark is a discussion.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a difficult season for Ullmark, but the Senators will likely stick with him. He’s in the first season of a four-year contract, and they have no one within their system to replace him. They’ll likely work with him during the offseason to help him regain his form.