Maple Leafs Asked Canadiens and Sabres for Big Return in Knies Trade Talks

Although the Toronto Maple Leafs have removed their general manager and need a new one before making any big deals, trade talk surrounding Matthew Knies hasn’t really gone away. And, with the Maple Leafs officially out of the playoff race now, expect speculation about Knies (and other Maple Leafs players) to ramp up.

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According to NHL insider Darren Dreger, the Toronto Maple Leafs explored trade discussions with two division rivals—the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens. Talks picked up around the trade deadline, but because of the magnitude of a potential deal and the short window to work out the details, the trades ultimately fell apart.

Former GM Brad Treliving reportedly explored the market for a move, but he wasn’t able to complete a deal before he was relieved of his duties.

Matthew Knies Trade Not Totally Dead

At the center of these discussions was forward Matthew Knies. The 23-year-old power forward has been one of Toronto’s few bright spots this season, posting 60 points in 72 games. Without a no-movement clause, Knies was a tradable asset, and his performance drew interest from other teams.

Related: The Canadiens Are Becoming Something Dangerous

The Sabres and Canadiens were among them. However, Nick Kypreos is reporting that Toronto’s asking price is high, which likely explains why no trade materialized before the deadline. He reports that the Maple Leafs asked for one of the following combinations in return: two first-round picks and a high-end prospect, one first-round pick and two high-end prospects, or three high-end prospects. 

During a recent press conference, MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley mentioned Montreal’s Michael Hage and Buffalo’s Radim Mrtka—both highly regarded young players. This is a clear indication of who Toronto was targeting in the trades. Dreger reports that neither the Sabres nor the Canadiens are too happy that he was openly talking about their players.

Hage was initially on Toronto’s draft radar in 2024 before Montreal selected him, while Mrtka, a 6-foot-6 right-shot defenseman taken ninth overall in 2025, fits the Maple Leafs’ need for size and skill on the blue line.

For now, Knies remains a key piece of Toronto’s roster. Expect talks to pick up over the summer, however. The new GM may keep the forward, but they’ll also likely explore what a trade could net if the organization pulls the trigger.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Tkachuk Podcast, Nylander’s Future, Jarry Offseason