Blackhawks & Maple Leafs Linked To Blockbuster Trade

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks are two teams to watch as the NHL Draft creeps closer. There's growing speculation these two teams are in conversations on a trade involving Matthew Knies and the Blackhawks #4 overall draft pick.

While Knies was being shopped ahead of last season's deadline, there's been conflicting reports on if John Chayka continues to include Knies in trade discussions. The Maple Leafs new GM is as trade happy as they come and has already moved out Simon Benoit and Joseph Woll, and sources close to the Maple Leafs say Chayka is far from done, and Knies could be next.

David Pagnotta: With the needs that Toronto has and want to fill, I do wonder if there's maybe the discussion of trying to get into a top 5 spot [in the draft]...potentially using Matthew Knies, we know Chicago's interested - FAN Hockey Show (6/17)

Knies, 23, is signed through the 2031 season at $7.5 million  AAV, and doesn't hold any trade protection until the 2030 season. The power forward recorded 23 goals and 66 points in 79 games last season, averaging 18:47 of ice-time.

Some belief if the Leafs move Knies, they must get back a #1 defenceman in return, and some wonder if Morgan Rielly will be packaged as part of the deal. The Leafs also have Nick Robertson and Matias Maccelli on the trade market, and may be wise to move out the latter, and keep Knies in the mix. Knies and Auston Matthews are close friends, they train together in Arizona, and if the key is to make Matthews happy to stick around, why would the team move Knies?

23-year-old power forwards who haven't even entered their prime don't grow on trees.