NHL Rumors: Blackhawks Linked to Two Huge Names This Offseason
That moment may be coming.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli was asked on VICTORY+ whether Chicago might make an aggressive move this offseason by targeting a high-end young forward, specifically naming Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies and Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson as realistic options.
Seravalli did not dismiss either name.
He reminded viewers that he had reported several weeks ago that the Blackhawks were among the teams that called Toronto about Knies ahead of the trade deadline.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman confirmed that Chicago's interest was real, noting it was not the first time either, as the Blackhawks had the framework of a deal in place back in 2022 that would have sent Brandon Hagel and Marc-Andre Fleury to Toronto for a package involving Knies before that conversation fell through.
What Makes Each Target Compelling
Knies is 23 years old, listed at six-foot-three and 232 pounds, and signed through the foreseeable future on a six-year deal at a $7.75 million AAV.
He posted 23 goals and 43 assists in 79 games this season while playing through a knee injury on a Maple Leafs team that had a disastrous year.
A season ago, he put up 29 goals and 29 assists in 78 games.
His size, physicality, and experience playing alongside elite talent at the Auston Matthews level would make him an ideal linemate for Bedard.
Robertson is a different conversation.
The Dallas Stars winger is their leading scorer and one of the most dangerous pure goal-scorers in the Western Conference. He is also a restricted free agent this offseason with arbitration rights, one year away from unrestricted free agency.
Stars GM Jim Nill has consistently downplayed the trade rumors and maintained his intention to re-sign Robertson this summer.
But, Robertson lacks no-trade protection, which at least creates a scenario where the Blackhawks could explore a sign-and-trade structure before committing full assets in a straight deal.
Why These Trades Are Both Long Shots
Seravalli noted that the Maple Leafs were never actually planning to move Knies at the deadline.
What Toronto was looking for, per his reporting, was one of those deals where you can accomplish a rebuild in a single move.
Those trades almost never happen because both sides have to believe they are winning, and both sides rarely do at the same time.
Maple Leafs ownership has been clear that they are retooling rather than rebuilding, which means Knies stays unless someone presents an offer so overwhelming that declining it becomes indefensible.
For Robertson, the situation hinges entirely on the extension negotiation. Nill has made clear the Stars intend to keep him.
If both sides find common ground on dollars, the trade rumors die immediately. If they do not, and Robertson tests the arbitration process heading into his walk year, Chicago would have a real opening.
For now, the Blackhawks have the assets to make these conversations happen.
Multiple first-round picks in upcoming drafts, a prospect pool that includes untouchable names like Anton Frondell and Roman Kansterov and trade-eligible pieces like Nick Lardis, and the cap flexibility to absorb the contracts.
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