Report: Maple Leafs Had Trade Offer Rejected By Sharks

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 ,
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have been shopping forward Matthew Knies on the trade market since before last season's trade deadline. First, it was Brad Treliving, who almost shipped out the power forward to the rival Montreal Canadiens, and while that deal fell through last March, new GM John Chayka took over conversations once he took over the job.

Reports indicate that Chayka started shopping Knies at the NHL Draft from Buffalo in June, and Sportsnet's Frank Seravalli confirmed the Leafs offered Knies in a package for the No.2 overall pick, owned by the San Jose Sharks.
Frank Seravalli: Sources indicated that the Leafs had offered Matthew Knies to the Sharks...for their 1st round picks, including #2 overall - Frankly Hockey (9/28)

The Sharks of course declined the deal and selected Ivar Stenberg, and he's looked like a stud in the preseason, and could eventually become a better player than Knies, time will tell. Knies was a fan favorite in Toronto, and has since been traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in multi-player deal that sees Kirill Marchenko hop on Auston Matthews' wing for the foreseeable future.

The Montreal Canadiens also were in on Marchenko, so they are disappointed on a few different levels after missing out on both players in different trades, at different times. The Leafs shook up their core just a day before the season started, and after Knies and the Leafs were back in his home state of Arizona for a few days doing some team bonding.

For now, the Sharks seem to have some interest in Connor Hellebuyck, but a trade doesn't appear close at this time. For the Leafs, it's obvious Chayka isn't messing around, and isn't shy making bold trades.

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