NHL Trade Talk Recap: Oilers Injuries, Leafs Trades, Knies Situation

Friday was full of talk about injury situations and a look towards the future, with an insider saying the Toronto Maple Leafs could be in for an active offseason.

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The Maple Leafs are being questioned about how they are handling Matthew Knies, who is still playing despite being clearly injured. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman has said that the relatively slow deadline might create some fireworks in the trade department come off-season. Our final story is that the Oilers must be cursed because they have lost yet another forward, with Trent Frederic going down following Friday’s practice.

Knies Playing Injured is Bad For All Parties

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been letting Matthew Knies pay injured, which has been the good part of the season. And now that the season is lost and the Buds are looking ahead, analysts and fans are wondering why. He has said in the media that he feels there is no risk of further aggravation to the injury, but some say that is not the point.

There are many reasons to shut down the Leafs’ forward for the remainder of the season, the first being that it makes the team worse. If getting closer to the bottom of the standings is the goal, then not having Knies will do that for the team. This would also protect a valuable asset in the process and get him ready to be 100% next year. The Leafs can also use the lineup opportunity to give more young prospects a chance with the big club. So maybe shutting down Knies could yield a host of benefits for a struggling club like the Leafs.

The Maple Leafs Decision Regarding Matthew Knies is Seriously Flawed

Maple Leafs Could Be In For a Wild Offseason

The NHL trade deadline, for lack of a better term, was a snooze fest with very little activity until the very last moments. With many of the speculated big names staying on their respective teams. This made for an uneventful day, but insider Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman believes this could mean we are in for a wild offseason.

Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews and his situation with the team are something on his radar. Friedman foresees the Leafs’ star generating some headlines in July. With Matthew becoming eligible for an extension on July 1, 2027, the clock will start ticking for the Leafs and Matthew to figure out his future with the club. The next player to look at is a fellow Maple Leaf, William Nylander, and whether the team is still interested in building around the two players, or, evidently, if the two stars still want to wear blue and white.

Freidman also mentioned the Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, and New York Rangers could all have interesting offseasons. But like most things in life, we will have to wait and see if any of this comes to fruition.

Insider Foresees a Wild Offseason in Toronto—and Across the NHL

Oilers Lose Another Forward to Injury

The Edmonton Oilers must have angered a genie, because they have been really unlucky in the injury department this year. With injuries already to Leon Draisaitl and Colton Dach, you can add Trent Frederic to that list, who is currently out with no timetable for return.

This is a big blow for the Oilers forward, as he was just starting to find his game this season. He has had a down year by his standards, with a career low in points this season. But following the Olympic break, he seemed to have found something that worked and had a spark in his game. This would be a blow to the Oilers’ already depleted forward group and to Frederic, who has started to look up over the past month. Though we have no timetable for his return yet, the Oilkers and Frederic can only hope that this injury won’t keep him out for long.

Oilers Lose Another Forward to an Injury, No Timeline for Return

What’s Up with Brady Tkachuk?

Going into the game against the New York Islanders, something seemed off about Brady Tkachuk. But, after a heart-to-heart with the coach, the Senators captain exploded out of the gate, getting in a fight in the first few seconds of the game and playing like his old self.

Was he fatigued? Is he dealing with something else? Has it been a long, trying season where speculation and extra play have taken a toll on him?

Brady Tkachuk Answered Recent Questions of Concern with Outburst in Ottawa

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