Two Teams Stand Ahead of Montreal in Matthew Knies Sweepstakes

The Montreal Canadiens were reportedly a minute away from landing Matthew Knies at the trade deadline, and their pursuit of the young star winger hasn’t stopped there.

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Montreal has once again been among the many teams linked to Knies this offseason as rumors continue to swirl around his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

However, according to insider Marco D’Amico, it’s going to be difficult for the Canadiens to beat out the Buffalo Sabres and San Jose Sharks in any potential sweepstakes at this point.

D’Amico wrote:

“The problem, it seems, is that the Toronto Maple Leafs don’t really want to open themselves up to the Pandora’s Box of negative optics in trading Knies to Montreal.

“The Canadiens would love to could circle back in a serious way on Matthew Knies, but the Leafs and Chayka would likely avoid the media storm that would come from that,” said an Eastern Conference source. “Buffalo and San Jose are some teams that have had real conversations, and the Leafs are looking for a team to overpay.”

And that’s exactly what it’ll take to get Knies out of Toronto, an overpay. For teams like Buffalo and San Jose to be considering this would likely involve top-10 picks, something the Canadiens do not have,”

The 23-year-old Knies has five years remaining on the six-year, $46.5 million extension he signed with the Maple Leafs last summer, which, of course, doesn’t include any trade protection until 2030-31. He recorded a career-high 66 points (23 goals, 43 assists) in 79 games last season.

While GM Kent Hughes is well equipped with assets to make a big splash, Buffalo and San Jose stand above them given their potential willingness to move the fourth and second overall picks, respectively.

Never say never, but it sounds like if Knies does get moved at all, it likely won’t be to Toronto’s bitter rival.

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