Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Montreal wants Matthew Knies but the Maple Leafs won’t let him go. If Toronto is going to entertain any offer it needs to be substantial and according to a Canadiens source – there was a massive deal ready to be made.
Knies’ name has been thrown about in rumours albeit with more than just a grain of salt on the side, and while they have been quickly debunked; it is still interesting that his name even popped up given how valuable he is to the Maple Leafs.
The quarter of Canadiens offered to the Maple Leafs for Matthew Knies
However, there seems to still be a lot of interest in Knies from the Canadiens and it’s been reported that they could try and revisit a deal this upcoming summer. If that’s the case, that package still needs to be huge.
(F) Matthew Knies
(G) Anthony Stolarz
(C) Kirby Dach
(D) Kaiden Guhle
(D) David Reinbacher
(G) Sam Montembeault
Dach is someone whose stock has slipped a little bit over the years but is still only 25, he’s 6’4, 220 pounds, and a very solid two-way forward and as a former third overall pick there’s still a lot of hope he can become that elite centre.
Dach is a restricted free agent at the end of the season, and it’s unknown if Montreal is looking to bring him back.
Toronto’s real pickup here is the help on defence where they get not only David Reinbacher, but also Kaiden Guhle (something we touched on was necessary in any Knies deal).
Reinbacher, 21, is such an intriguing prospect given that he’s already dealt with injuries but still projects to be a top shutdown defender. He also helps Toronto’s righty problem on the backend, and sure he won’t get you a ton of points but he’s the new shutdown blueliner of the future.
He is signed on an ELC worth $886,666 AAV and is signed until 2028 where he will also be a restricted free agent.
Guhle, 24, is much like Reinbacher although has that NHL experience and boy is he solid. In 198 games he has 68 points, 426 blocks and 346 hits.
He’s a workhorse on the ice, incredibly speedy, and is great at being able to pivot back quickly if he gets caught in the o-zone and is under contract until 2031 at only $5.5-million.
Why Anthony Stolarz is even mentioned in the Matthew Knies deal
The interesting caveat here is that Stolarz heads to the Habs however Truman’s reasoning is fairly sound as he believes that Stolarz is signed long-term and can mentor both Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler.
Montreal would send Sam Montembeault to form a new tandem with Joseph Woll. He’s younger than Stolarz, has a lot of experience playing in high pressure situations especially internationally and is signed for another year at $3.15-million.
But it does also lead to a bit of a logjam for Montreal. If they do end up taking Stolarz, they have him for four more years. Unless you’re able to balance a trio of starters, one is going to be left out.
You have to see what Dobes offers on a consistent basis because he’s an incredible goalie, and Fowler could be someone we talk about for decades. So is Montreal taking on Stolarz for mentorship only? Do they spot start him and pay more than Montembeault?
Actually, that could very well be the best course of action considering how fragile he is. Playing Stolarz every third or fourth game would give him about 15-20 starts. While not anywhere close to what he is being paid for, you’re wanting to keep him off the IR; and more time means more risks.
The Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t want to make the deal clearly, and the Montreal Canadiens are praying they do.
But the real question is: Does Brad Treliving have the nerve to blow it all up, or will he sit idly by and let someone else do the heavy lifting?
Previously on Hockey Patrol