{"id":495885,"date":"2026-03-10T04:27:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T04:27:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/495885\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T04:27:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T04:27:13","slug":"insider-reveals-maple-leafs-canadiens-blockbuster-almost-happened","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/495885\/","title":{"rendered":"Insider Reveals Maple Leafs-Canadiens Blockbuster Almost Happened"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Toronto<\/a>
Rumors of a rare rivalry blockbuster surfaced after the NHL trade deadline, and Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos<\/a> says Matthew Knies may have been right in the middle of it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The speculation gained traction after Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes revealed his team came extremely close to completing a trade that would have had a big impact on the team.<\/p>\n

Kypreos later suggested the mystery deal involved Toronto and that Knies\u2019 name was circulating during those discussions.<\/p>\n

Nick Kypreos Links Matthew Knies to Leafs\u2013Canadiens Talks<\/p>\n

Speaking about the rumored negotiations, Kypreos indicated that Knies was one of the few assets capable of bringing back a massive return for Toronto.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a sense that the deal Kent Hughes was working on was with the Leafs,\u201d Kypreos said. \u201cThere is a sense out there that perhaps there was something brewing around Matthew Knies\u2026 I can tell you his name was out there with multiple teams.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a sense that the deal [Kent Hughes] was working on was with the Leafs\u2026 I can tell you [Matthew Knies\u2019] name was out there with multiple teams.\u201d@RealKyper<\/a> shares what he heard about a potential Leafs\u2013Canadiens deal before the deadline with @jtbourne<\/a> and @SamAMcKee<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/q9zI1HGOWp<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) March 9, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

The Canadiens have one of the NHL\u2019s deepest prospect pools, which could have given them the type of high-end package Toronto would require to even consider moving the 23-year-old power forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite the discussions, the Maple Leafs ultimately declined Montreal\u2019s offer, and Knies remained in Toronto when the deadline passed.<\/p>\n

Maple Leafs View Knies as a Core Piece<\/p>\n

Knies has become one of the few consistent producers in a difficult season for Toronto. The young winger has produced 51 points in 61 games, including 16 goals and 35 assists, while also bringing a heavy physical presence with over 120 hits.<\/p>\n

Although his name surfaced in rumors, Knies took the speculation in stride.<\/p>\n

#LeafsForever<\/a> forward Matthew Knies said it\u2019s nice to get the distraction of the trade deadline behind the team and himself.<\/p>\n

On his name popping up in chatter, he said: \u201cI feel like just kind of with this market, everyone’s kind of almost a target.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 9, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u201cI was a little surprised but I didn\u2019t really look into it too much,\u201d he said. \u201cWith this market, everyone\u2019s kind of almost a target. It\u2019s a business.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Maple Leafs signed Knies to a six-year extension worth $7.75 million per season last summer, reinforcing the belief that he remains a major part of their long-term core.<\/p>\n

Photo Credit:\u00a0Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n