Blackhawks May See Trade With Maple Leafs as Secret to Extending Bedard

According to Greg Wyshynski of ESPN, the Chicago Blackhawks remain keyed on a possible trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs for Matthew Knies. Previously interested at the trade deadline, talks calmed down. This summer, they’ve picked up again, and there seems to be real smoke to the idea that the Maple Leafs might be listening.

Wyshynski writes, “Toronto continues to field calls on Matthew Knies. The Blackhawks have been interested for a while, as Knies (23) fits their age range to grow with Connor Bedard and the rest of their emerging core. The No. 4 pick from Chicago is absolutely in play.”

If the Blackhawks are willing to move the No. 4 pick for Knies, one would think the Leafs would seriously consider a deal. Adding another top-five pick in this year’s draft, plus whatever else might be part of the package, interestingly positions the Maple Leafs.

What’s also interesting about the timing of everything is Bedard’s status. Ben Pope of The Chicago Sun Times writes, “Bedard’s contract negotiations with the Blackhawks might be picking up. The two sides have now exchanged $ numbers. But within the NHL’s loaded RFA class, Bedard, Carlsson and Fantilli might be waiting for each other to set the market.”

There’s logic to the idea that each player wants to see what the other will get on an extension. Maybe nothing the Blackhawks do with their roster will change that. That said, one thing that could help Chicago is adding another impact player to the team’s top six.

In other words, how excited can the Blackhawks get Bedard about what’s around the corner?

The Blackhawks have plenty of cap space. They could pay Bedard more than fairly, but also add Knies without issue. And, as RFAs and other players are starting to dictate their futures in an ever-changing NHL landscape, giving Bedard a reason to be excited about the team’s future isn’t a bad strategy.

Be proactive. Make it so that Bedard has a reason to be the first to sign.

Next: Reading Between the Lines of the Oilers’ Biggest Decision