Could a change of scenery be good for both Morgan Rielly and the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Jason Gregor: Nick Alberga on the Toronto Maple Leafs blue line: “I think the guy to look at this summer is Morgan Rielly. It feels like a change would be good for both sides. If they move him, they have to get a D-man in return. They need to get bigger on the backend and move mobile on the backend.”
The Chicago Blackhawks could be willing to move the fourth overall pick
Daily Faceoff: David Pagnotta, on the Chicago Blackhawks willingness to move the fourth overall draft pick in the 2026 NHL draft. Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies is the type of player the Blackhawks would be interested in adding, and the type of player they may be willing to move the pick for.
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“I think that piece is available. The word I got at Chicago was, unless they win the lottery and draft first overall, whether it’s 2, 3, 4, 5, whatever, they’re going to dangle that pick. Here we are. They’re at number four.
So obviously there’s no guarantee they actually trade it, because you’ve got to find the right deal. Two to Tango kind of thing. But Chicago is definitely going to explore the market and look to see, can you bring in an immediate impact, young NHL-calibre player who’s proven, by enticing a team to take a package that includes the fourth overall pick?
They’re going to circle back on Matthew Knies. Now, I don’t know if Toronto has any interest with their new management regime in even exploring it. But that’s not going to stop Chicago from at least inquiring.
But clearly that’s the calibre player in terms of where they’re at in the NHL. Not necessarily stylistically and, you know, power forward vibe. I’m sure that’s the preference, but just in terms more of, where Knies is in the National Hockey League, and I’m using him as an example.
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Or, if there are other players that are at that point in their careers very early, taking next steps, really evolving, then I see that being the type of player that Chicago is willing to move that fourth overall pick in a deal for.”
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