Chris Pronger believes moving on from Matthew Knies would signal long-term rebuild
Hall of Fame defenceman Chris Pronger joined Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill to discuss what he thought of the potential Knies deal, what a Knies deal would signal within the organization, and if he feels this current Maple Leafs team has what it takes to return to the playoffs next year.
“I personally don’t think they were getting enough. He had a down year, but there’s a lot of meat left on the bone with him. Can you develop him and get him to the level people foresaw two years ago? Can he be a prototypical power forward? Can he be a Tom Wilson, so to speak, a player of that level of notoriety with physical presence and ability to provide offence in a role that very few players can play in this league nowadays,” Pronger said. “Why would you give him up if you’re not getting a king’s ransom for him? You need NHL players.”
If the Maple Leafs’ new management did once again entertain the idea of moving Knies, that could open the door for a full-scale rebuild. The offseason has had its fair share of rumours surrounding captain Auston Matthews, and if Knies is moved, that could make it more of a reality.
“I don’t think you are going to do that [Knies] deal; you’re going to do a bunch of deals. If you’re going to move Knies, you better be moving [William] Nylander and Matthews,” Pronger said. “It’s not like he’s past his prime; he hasn’t even got to his prime, so that one to me doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Unless you are taking it to the studs, you don’t move him without moving other guys. There has to be a plan. You have to set parameters in place, and say, ok, if we’re moving this guy, then we’re moving this player and that player.”
The Maple Leafs finished the 2025-26 season with a record of 32-36-14, finishing last in the Atlantic Division, and second-last in the entire Eastern Conference. With many teams to pass to work their way back into the playoff picture after missing for the first time in the Matthews era, the Maple Leafs management has its work cut out for them, but Pronger isn’t sure if this roster has what it takes to return to the playoffs.
“Based on their current roster with no additions, I don’t think they do. The other teams have gotten better around them, and they need to get better,” Pronger said. “I think they have to be smart with their asset and cap management.”