Insider: NHL Executives 'Believe Matthew Knies Will Be Traded'

They say where there's smoke, there's fire. And there's certainly plenty of smoke swirling around Toronto Maple Leafs' prized young power forward Matthew Knies these days. The recent leak that the previous Leafs administration actually had a deal DONE for Knies at the trade deadline, only to be killed by arriving at the NHL offices one minute late, has ramped up teams' (and fans') interest across the league.

On Wednesday, NHL insider Darren Dreger told Gino Reda on TSN's That's Hockey that some teams feel that a trade is inevitable.

Depending on who you talk to, there are a number NHL executives out there who believe that Matthew Knies will be traded. I don't think you're going to get anything as definitive as that from the Maple Leafs at this point, but John Chayka is definitely doing his due diligence, as are other clubs, finding out why Matthew Knies would be available for trade.
But again, there's a belief that the Leafs are at least willing to trade Knies, and the conversations are ongoing with multiple teams with considerable interest.

Dreger went on to speculate that perhaps there's concern with Knies's playing weight, which came in well into the mid-230-pound range last season, is something that people are keeping an eye on.

The insider says that Knies is "working hard this offseason trying to trim down... He believes that he could be a little bit quicker if he gets into the 220s, and maybe less injury prone."

As for the "injury-prone" label, that's a bit of a stretch, as Knies has played 79, 78 and 80 games in his three full seasons with the Leafs.

It'll take a massive offer of at least three high-end pieces to land Knies

Fellow insider Nick Kypreos of the Kyper & Bourne show echoes the same sentiments on Knies being out there to be had for the right offer. But it depends on the offer.

"If you can turn Matthew Knies into three pieces..."

"Possibly a top-pair D, a first-rounder, and a secondary player... If they move [Matthew Knies] in the next few days, it'll be to get back into the draft."
@RealKyper, @jtbourne and @SamAMcKee discuss what it would take for the Leafs to part with Matthew Knies. pic.twitter.com/s1SXCnbNgu
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