The rumors linking Matthew Knies to the Montreal Canadiens are one of the more interesting stories to come out of the 2026 trade deadline—but the truth is a bit murky. It’s a story that has gained a lot of traction over the past few days, even though no one can seem to confirm that conversations actually took place.
A lot of cryptic comments won’t let the idea die, but would the Toronto Maple Leafs have really made this move?
Where the Knies Rumor Started
Intially, Elliotte Friedman said on the Saturday Headlines segment after Friday’s deadline that the Canadies were working on something big. He didn’t want to run with the name because he couldn’t prove it, and when he tried to confirm the reports, they were denied.
Speculation really began to run rampant when Sportsnet analyst Nick Kypreos suggested that the Canadiens’ mysterious last-minute trade talks may have involved the Toronto Maple Leafs and that Knies’ name was circulating in those discussions. “There is a sense that the deal [Kent Hughes] was working on was with the Leafs… I can tell you [Matthew Knies’] name was out there with multiple teams,” said Kyper.
According to Kypreos, Montreal GM Kent Hughes was working on a “significant” deal before the deadline — something Hughes himself has now confirmed — and the belief around the league was that Knies was the centerpiece player discussed.
It makes sense that the Canadiens would have been interested. Knies is 23 years old, plays a power-forward style, and fits the age timeline of Montreal’s young core. Adding someone like him alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield would have been a major boost to their top six.
Were the Maple Leafs Really Considering This?
Some reports claim the idea didn’t get very far once Knies’ name came up. Others, like Friedman, said he heard the theories that others were hearing, but cautioned anyone thinking the Leafs were shopping to Knies to hold their horses. If Toronto was entertaining a deal, it was only to see how much they could get for him in a trade.
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Some believe the Canadiens and Leafs were talking about a trade, but that Toronto essentially ended the discussions once Montreal pushed for Knies in a potential deal. This would run counter to any speculation that the Leafs seriously considered a trade.
After all, why would Toronto want to move on from arguably the one foundational young forward who brings size, scoring, and playoff-style physicality that the Leafs have lacked in past years? If the Maple Leafs are going to move on from anyone this summer (in a rumored retool), it wouldn’t be Knies.
At the same time, the Leafs might have felt somewhat stuck with the moves they could make at the deadline, and Knies is one of the few core Leafs players without a no-trade clause, which makes him technically easier to include in deals than stars like Auston Matthews or William Nylander.
Friedman Casts Doubt on the Story
It’s important to remember that nothing has been confirmed regarding Knies and his future in Toronto. That doesn’t mean he will be traded, but it also doesn’t mean he won’t.
Friedman essentially suggested that while the rumor existed, it might have been more speculation than an actual near-trade.
Knies himself admitted the rumors caught him off guard, but said he isn’t paying much attention to them. Trade speculation, especially in Toronto, is something players expect to deal with.
For now, he remains focused on his role with the Leafs as they try to salvage their season.
