The Maple Leafs may be reaching a point in the offseason where it makes sense to at least reopen the Matthew Knies conversation.
Knies was already a major trade name heading into the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, and even after Toronto changed general managers following the 2025-26 season, his name kept surfacing in rumors early this summer. That buzz has cooled as August approaches, but the timing may actually work in the Leafs’ favor if they decide to listen again.
The reason is simple: the winger market is thin. Among the notable UFAs still available, the best options are Vladimir Tarasenko, Eeli Tolvanen, and Michael Bunting. None of them really fit the profile of a true top-six winger, which means teams in need of a major offensive addition may have to turn to the trade market instead.
That kind of scarcity can drive prices up fast, and Knies would be one of the biggest prizes available. At 23, he checks a lot of boxes clubs want: young, physical, and capable of playing a top-six role.
Contenders would want that. Rebuilding teams would want that too.
For Toronto, sitting in the middle of a retool, there’s no downside to finding out what that kind of player might fetch. The 2021 second-round pick could bring back a serious return if the Leafs decided to move him.
Still, putting Knies back on the market does not mean Toronto has to trade him. There’s value in simply hearing what teams are willing to offer. And there’s also real risk in moving him, because players with his blend of offense and heavy play are not easy to replace.
There’s another layer here too: Knies is still only 23, which leaves room for another jump in his game. If a team is willing to pay a massive price because the free agent market is so weak, the Leafs would at least have something to weigh. At the same time, it would also make sense if Toronto decided he belongs in the long-term core.
Knies is signed through 2030-31 with a $7.75 million cap hit, which only adds to the debate.
So the Leafs don’t need to rush into anything. But they also shouldn’t close the door on offers now that the market has thinned out. Whether Knies starts the season in Toronto or becomes a major offseason trade chip, this is a situation worth watching closely.
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