{"id":601779,"date":"2026-06-18T19:33:23","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T19:33:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/601779\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T19:33:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T19:33:23","slug":"matthew-knies-is-the-devils-trade-gamble-worth-making-this-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/601779\/","title":{"rendered":"Matthew Knies Is the Devils Trade Gamble Worth Making This Offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s about time for the New Jersey Devils<\/a> to figure out Jack Hughes<\/a> and Jesper Bratt<\/a> creating magic, only to see it fizzle out without enough help on their flank or at the front of the net. Matthew Knies should be at the top of your wishlist this summer.<\/p>\n

Multiple reports continue to suggest the Toronto Maple Leafs are gauging the market on the power forward.<\/p>\n

In fact, Knies was almost dealt by the former regime with Brad Treliving at the helm to the Montreal Canadiens<\/a> in exchange for Alexander Zharovsky, another prospect, and a pair of first-round picks.<\/p>\n

However, the Maple Leafs and Canadiens couldn\u2019t consumate the deal after they failed to meet the 3 P.M. trade deadline, thus keeping Knies in Toronto.<\/p>\n

Yet, the new regime with John Chayka at the helm are reportedly open to listening to offers on Knies. New reports suggest<\/a> the ask has changed to a a top-pair defender, a first-round pick, and a secondary player.<\/p>\n

The Devils could entertain this situation.<\/p>\n

The big, rugged Toronto winger just wrapped a weird, injury-marred season that left a lot of people questioning his trajectory. But dig a little deeper, and the idea of dropping him on Hughes\u2019 line starts to look like one of the more exciting moves the Devils could make.<\/p>\n

Knies with Jack & Bratt Could Be Special<\/p>\n

\"NHL:Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Knies is exactly the kind of forward Hughes has been missing: a 6-foot-3, 230-plus pound guy who isn\u2019t afraid to grind in the tough areas, drive the net, and turn Hughes\u2019 highlight-reel passes into actual goals.<\/p>\n

Think about what Hughes does best\u2014he sees the ice like few others and creates chances out of nothing. What he needs beside him is someone who finishes those chances and creates his own mess in the slot. Bratt alongside Hughes can similarly replicate this kind of offense. <\/p>\n

Knies has shown he can do both. In his big 2024-25 year, he put up 29 goals while being a physical force. Even in the tougher 2025-26 campaign, his assist numbers jumped, showing he\u2019s developing a real playmaking side with his second-ranked 22 primary assists in Toronto last season.<\/p>\n

Put that together with Hughes and Bratt\u2019s speed and vision, and you\u2019ve got a line that forces opponents to make tough choices every shift. Add in Knies\u2019 73% finishing, and you have the ideal power forward to play with Hughes and Bratt.<\/p>\n

What Makes Knies Intriguing<\/p>\n

\"NHL:IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Knies doesn\u2019t just rely on volume. His shot quality metrics hold up well for a power forward. In 2025-26, he maintained solid expected goals per shot (around 0.12 range) and ranked strongly in high-danger shots on goal in the 96th percentile. His average shot distance hovers around 20-21 feet, fitting his net-front game of tips, screens, and dirty-area work rather than perimeter sniping.<\/p>\n

Where he really shines is rebound generation. He consistently creates rebounds, registering 18 in 2024-25 over 78 games, but dropped off to 10 in 2025-26 while playing through a knee injury amid Toronto\u2019s total demise. <\/p>\n

Knies didn\u2019t just forget how to generate rebounds, however. It\u2019s repeatable skill from his positioning and willingness to battle in front. Even in a down year affected by said knee issue, his per-minute rebound rates stayed respectable. These second-chance plays turn Hughes\u2019 initial setups into extra opportunities, which is gold for a playmaking center.<\/p>\n

The injury clearly limited his mobility and overall volume last season, but the underlying quality of his chances didn\u2019t collapse. With better health, these traits should trend back up, potentially giving Hughes a legit finishing threat who also generates his own chaos.<\/p>\n

Devils Trade Framework<\/p>\n

\"NHL:IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Something like Knies heading to New Jersey in exchange for the Devils\u2019 2026 first-round pick, Dougie Hamilton<\/a>, and a prospect\u2014perhaps Shane LaChance\u2014feels like balanced value. Toronto gets immediate help with Hamilton and future assets in the pick and prospect who is near NHL ready and could be a solid depth option. <\/p>\n

If New Jersey needs more value, perhaps picks or B-level prospects are attached to Knies.<\/p>\n

The Devils land their Hughes complement without completely emptying the cupboard. Toronto might push for a sweetener, but this structure gives both sides real upside without anyone getting fleeced.<\/p>\n

And with Hamilton\u2019s brother working in the Toronto organization now, perhaps the Devils defenseman is more willing to accept a trade up North.<\/p>\n

The Risks\u2014Because They Exist<\/p>\n

\"NHL:IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

No one\u2019s pretending this is a slam dunk. Analytics folks will point out some legitimate concerns.<\/p>\n

His goal-scoring in 2024-25 rode some hot finishing that didn\u2019t carry over. If his shooting luck stays average (or worse), he could settle into the low 20s for goals instead of pushing higher. <\/p>\n

Some of his possession and defensive metrics slipped last year too, which isn\u2019t ideal for a guy you\u2019re counting on in big minutes. The Devils play a fast, skilled game\u2014if Knies can\u2019t keep up defensively or adjust to new linemates quickly, it could create problems.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s the injury history. That knee bug was no joke, and big-bodied forwards who rely on power can have lingering issues. If it flares up again, you\u2019re paying big money for a player who can\u2019t quite dominate the way you hoped.<\/p>\n

Yet, you\u2019re betting on the upside of his elite finishing metrics alongside two speedy playmakers and perhaps an improved blueline that can cover up for those deficiencies if they don\u2019t improve.<\/p>\n

Chances are they will if he returns to full health.<\/p>\n

The Gamble<\/p>\n

\"NHL:IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

The Devils have the assets and the cap space to make something happen. Knies is signed for the long haul\u2014five years remaining at a $7.75 million average annual value\u2014a number that could look like a bargain if he bounces back even halfway to his best form. <\/p>\n

Pairing him with Hughes isn\u2019t a guarantee, but it\u2019s the kind of bet smart teams make when they have a superstar center and winger who needs the right support\u2014especially one who brings high-danger shot quality and consistent rebound creation.<\/p>\n

Is it risk-free? No. <\/p>\n

But sitting around waiting for incremental improvements hasn\u2019t exactly worked out. Sometimes you have to swing for the player who fits what your best guy needs.<\/p>\n

We all know by now Sunny Mehta<\/a> is a betting man.<\/p>\n

The Devils should be calling Toronto. Loudly.<\/p>\n

*Analytics via\u00a0Hockey Gamebot<\/a>, NHL EDGE<\/a>, Benchrates<\/a> & JFresh<\/a>,\u00a0contract numbers via\u00a0Puckpedia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"avatar\"<\/p>\n

\t\tJames is a fully credentialed New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on Sportsnaut and the … More about James Nichols<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s about time for the New Jersey Devils to figure out Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt creating magic,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":601780,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5109],"tags":[201,3723,30385,1294,5,797,576,151,5185,5184,4,31],"class_list":["post-601779","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-jersey-devils","tag-devils","tag-devils-news","tag-devils-trade-rumors","tag-dougie-hamilton","tag-hockey","tag-matthew-knies","tag-new-jersey","tag-new-jersey-devils","tag-newjersey","tag-newjerseydevils","tag-nhl","tag-toronto-maple-leafs"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/116772785752419992","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/601779","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=601779"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/601779\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/601780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=601779"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=601779"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=601779"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}