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Maple Leafs have a trade taker for Matthew Knies originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Toronto Maple Leafs chose not to trade Matthew Knies before the March NHL trading deadline.
If they want to deal the talented winger now, they probably have at least one taker.
According to insider David Pagnotta, the Chicago Blackhawks want to get Knies to their roster.
Pagnotta's report doesn't suggest a deal is imminent, but rather that Chicago could circle back to try and make a deal for Knies at some point.
The Maple Leafs feel like they have just two players who they wouldn't trade unless it was requested: Auston Matthews and William Nylander.
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Knies seems to be just below that level. He's a guy you'd keep around in most circumstances, but he's not untouchable.
And if the Blackhawks came with a good enough offer, maybe Toronto would be ready to go for it this summer.
Maybe the most intriguing assets the Blackhawks have is the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Would they consider moving that for Knies? It's hard to say.
The Maple Leafs already have the first pick, which they could use on Gavin McKenna. They could really jumpstart their future if they added another top-five pick.
Knies himself could still be a solid portion of Toronto's future, so the Leafs could choose just to stick with him on their side.
But it'll be a point of chatter this summer, for sure.
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