The latest trade speculation regarding Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies and updates on several of this summer’s notable UFAs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE MATTHEW KNIES RUMORS KEEP CHURNING
TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan weighed in on the recent rumors linking Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies to the Montreal Canadiens.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthews Knies (NHL Images).
Koshan observed that it hasn’t been reported how serious those rumored discussions were. He acknowledged the Maple Leafs need to restock with young players, prospects, and draft picks.
However, Koshan believes the Maple Leafs need the 23-year-old Knies as part of their plans, pointing out the scarcity of power forwards with age on their side. He believes whoever is in charge of the Leafs after this season needs to take a hard look at the core of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Morgan Rielly and decide whether that group can lead the club to playoff success.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs have had eight seasons with that core. They’ve won two playoff series. That should tell you all you need to know about whether they can lead the Leafs to postseason success.
TVA SPORTS: Jean-Charles Lajoie considers Knies to be a cleaner version of Washington Capitals power forward Tom Wilson. However, he’s skeptical whether the Canadiens will be able to land him.
Lajoie doesn’t see the Canadiens parting with top prospect Michael Hage. Parting with promising winger Alexander Zharovsky seems plausible, but keeping him while fostering internal competition seems appealing. He also pointed out that Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving could lose his job after this season, and his replacement likely won’t part with Knies.
THE ATHLETIC: James Mirtle believes the only Knies trade that would make sense is if he fetches a return that adds an elite center (such as Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues) or an excellent defenseman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Knies-to-Montreal provided a buzz not normally seen in the week after the NHL trade deadline. He would certainly be a great fit among the Canadiens’ top-six forwards, and he could fetch a return of promising young assets if the Maple Leafs begin to rebuild.
Knies will likely be a key part of the Maple Leafs’ plans, whatever they may be. Their asking price would begin with Hage, and that’s a non-starter for the Canadiens. If the Leafs fire Treliving, his successor will likely retain Knies.
UFA UPDATES
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch is the biggest name remaining in this year’s unrestricted free-agent market after Nick Schmaltz signed a contract extension with the Utah Mammoth earlier this week.
The Sabres want to re-sign Tuch, and they are continuing to work on it. LeBrun believes the 29-year-old winger could seek a deal comparable to the $10.63 million AAV signed by Adrian Kempe with the Los Angeles Kings last fall. However, the Sabres could counter with the $8 million AAV that Schmaltz will receive from the Mammoth starting next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: They could meet in the middle for around $9.25 million. If not, the thin UFA market ensures Tuch will get what he wants elsewhere.
LeBrun also addressed why the Vegas Golden Knights haven’t re-signed Rasmus Andersson yet. They acquired the 28-year-old defenseman from the Calgary Flames in January.
The reason is that the Golden Knights have only $3.2 million in projected salary-cap space for 2026-27 because they still have to carry the $8.8 million cap hit of sidelined defenseman Alex Pietrangelo.
They can free up sufficient cap room in the offseason by moving salary or placing Pietrangelo on offseason long-term injury reserve.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson will sign with the Golden Knights on July 1. By that time, they’ll have Pietrangelo on offseason LTIR, freeing up the cap space to re-sign him.
The Anaheim Ducks are hoping that recently acquired John Carlson won’t be a playoff rental.
They’re giving the 35-year-old defenseman some time to adjust following his trade from the Washington Capitals. However, the plan is to approach Carlson and his agent at some point to discuss a contract extension.
Carlson is completing an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $8 million. LeBrun thinks a two-year extension makes sense, but he doesn’t see the veteran blueliner taking a pay cut.
LeBrun also cited Darren Raddysh of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 30-year-old defenseman is having a career year. The Lightning hope to keep him and eventually re-sign him.