NHL Rumor Mill – March 10, 2026
Did the Canadiens come close to acquiring Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies? What’s the latest on Blues center Robert Thomas? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
CANADIENS RUMORED TO HAVE BEEN INTERESTED IN MATTHEW KNIES
SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos believes the failed deal that the Montreal Canadiens attempted to make before Friday’s trade deadline was with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Kypreos also believes the Canadiens were trying to acquire Matthew Knies, claiming the 23-year-old Maple Leafs winger drew interest from several teams in the trade market.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthews Knies (NHL Images).
Aside from Auston Matthews and William Nylander, Knies is the only player who could provide the Maple Leafs with a return of top-tier talent.
Kypreos stressed that he’s not confirming that it was Knies the Canadiens were after, but that’s the speculation that’s out there.
Luke Fox pointed out that Elliotte Friedman raised the possibility before the trade deadline that the Maple Leafs floated Knies’ name in the trade market. Fox noted that the big Leafs winger was surprised that he popped up in trade rumors, but didn’t look into it too much.
Fox observed that Knies is the only member of the Maple Leafs core who lacks no-trade protection. He also noted that the Carolina Hurricanes asked for Knies at the 2025 trade deadline when the Leafs were trying to acquire Mikko Rantanen. Still, general manager Brad Treliving refused to part with him.
However, the Maple Leafs need to bolster their roster to stage a bounce-back performance next season. No one player should be considered off-limits if a move can be made this summer to improve their roster.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont noted that Kypreos spoke of the Canadiens’ deep prospect pool. Knies going to Montreal could fetch a return to the Leafs that restocks their depleted prospect cupboard.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was originally believed that the Canadiens were pursuing St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas. Going after Knies makes more sense as it could give them a right winger to play alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the top line, or on the second line at his natural left-wing position with Oliver Kapanen and Ivan Demidov.
Knies to Montreal would certainly qualify as a blockbuster. The return to the Maple Leafs could’ve been a first-round pick, a prospect, and a young player, or a couple of prospects and a young player.
For now, this is an unsubstantiated rumor because Kypreos can’t say for certain that Knies was the Canadiens’ target. Nevertheless, it’ll stoke speculation about the Habs’ offseason plans. Whether it involves revisiting that mysterious significant trade they tried to make at the deadline.
ROBERT THOMAS WAS NEVER ASKED TO WAIVE HIS NO-TRADE CLAUSE
DAILY FACEOFF: Robert Thomas told ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski that the St. Louis Blues never approached him about waiving his no-trade clause. He said that everything he heard came from media insiders and online.
“I just want to be clear: I was never asked, and nor did I ever ask for a trade,” Thomas said.
The 26-year-old Blues center has a full no-trade clause. His contract runs through 2030-31 with an average annual value of $8.125 million.
Thomas admitted that it’s been frustrating that the Blues aren’t where they thought they’d be this season. However, he insisted that he remains committed to the club and loves living in St. Louis.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported the depth of the trade conversations about Thomas leading up to last Friday’s deadline suggests those talks will resume during the offseason.
LeBrun speculated the Buffalo Sabres and Utah Mammoth could revisit their interest in Thomas. He also raised the possibility of the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, or Los Angeles Kings getting involved.
The Blues reportedly set a high asking price for Thomas. Whether that softens during the offseason remains to be seen. Nevertheless, LeBrun thinks Thomas most likely gets traded this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: For all the rumors about Thomas, his comments indicate that the discussions never reached the point where Blues management would ask him to waive his no-trade clause.
That could change during the summer, but that doesn’t mean Thomas will agree to it.
Remember, the Blues had a deal in place that would have sent Colton Parayko to the Buffalo Sabres, but the defenseman nixed the trade by refusing to waive his clause.
Thomas could do the same, but that won’t stop the conjecture about his future in St. Louis.
Firstly the Leafs would be nuts to trade. He’s a solid young winger who will be a big part of their inevitable retool/rebuild. Secondly, no way would they trade him to the Habs, likely not even within the division.
And third….the Habs defense and goaltending — from a defensive standpoint is AWFUL. So…..sure lets get a power forward.
Montreal shoulda got a good back up goalie. Or even an aging starter with proven pedigree. Some kind of defensive defensmman would have really helped.
The Habs are where the Leafs were 4-6 years ago. Blistering offensive. Talented offens-man and zero ability to keep things locked down.
Well, I did post yesterday that I thought Kneis was the big fish that got away and I gave a list of the possible return to the Leafs.
It’s an affordable contract to a young stud of the right age and a trade would be painful, but you have to give to get.
TML prospect pool is dry, team is in a shambles and the old core shot it’s load, they peaked and will incrementally decline.
I don’t agree with that assessment. The Hans are bore balanced than the Leafs were imo. Hutson, Guhle, And Dobson are excellent D men. Obviously the goaltending hasn’t been great, but we’ve all seen how fickle that can be. I actually think Knies fits what they really need, a bigger powerful forward, not sure how defensive alert Knies is though.
The Habs biggest problem by far this season has been in goal. Monty has been awful. Dobes has been better but still inconsistent. Hopefully Fowler will be the answer but he’s not ready yet. And there was no one realistically available now who would be much better.
As for the D, the Habs have a solid top 4. But they needed more depth especially on the right side. Someone who can play physically. Unfortunately it didn’t work out now.
IF the Habs have a short playoff run, and their exit is laid at the feet of inconsistent goaltending, I can see their off-season target being a top goalie … much like Ottawa did when they acquired Ullmark.
Can their D use a big boost? Perhaps, although that’s a mostly young and constantly-getting-better collection that will be even more cohesive through experience by next season.
Yeah, George, I think there’s a lot to what you just said. All the up front talent in the world isn’t going to get you past bad goal tending. Ask the Oilers.
But HF30 has a good point too, as Dach is already off of the first line and last game played on the 4th.
How about this? Pierre Lebrun wrote a column in the Athletic musing about what McDavid does should the Oil crash out of the playoffs. Getting him would cost a king’s ransom but the Habs are one of the few teams with enough to make a trade without decimating their line up.
Probably like asking them to drink urine but I wonder what Oiler fans think about that? I’ll check back in a few hours and see if any of my windows are broken.
Oilers would probably ask for hage back and Montreal would decline cause they like their prospects so much.
That was a funny exchange LJ and Chrisms, luv the Hage line.
Depends how hydrated I am LJ.
Bottom line, if McDavid wants out, then he will get his wish and they will trade him to the highest bidder.
No idea what that would mean from MTL as we’re talking about the best offensive player in the league. How about Hage, Slafkovsky and a 1st.
If the Oil do trade him, thinking Draisaitl might be next. But it would surprise me if he did ask out.
But Bowman & Jackson have really messed this up in a short period of time IMO. Maybe McDavid feels the same way about that.
Ray:
I would make that trade. But I would genuinely feel for both McDavid and Edmonton were it to come to that. We’ll see but in honesty I can’t see how the Oil can get from where they are to a Cup in the next year or two.
Ya, seems to have gotten tougher in the short term LJ.
But then again, when you have those 2 guys at the top of the lineup, you can beat a lot of teams if they just get back to defending and get average goaltending.
Most of the core is the same and they added a couple good defensive players from Chicago to help in that regard. Problem is they have shown absolutely nothing to suggest they are finding it, but they have 20 or so games left to start the process. And they don’t have many assets to sell to improve in the offseason so it’s up to the guys in the room.
That and they could use some saves.
George,
The goalie situation is a common refrain in Montreal and folks outside the city. Most Hab fans here agree with you but I for one disagree.
Bobrovsky, Markstrom, Binnigton, are having a poorer season with Kuemper, Oettinger, Dostal, Wolf being marginally better.
Dobes has lost 6 games in 30 starts.
Montembeault has lost 8 in 25
Oddly, the team scores more with Dobes in the net.
A shutdown RD , I won’t repeat the names I’ve suggested, would be helpful but they are ok in goal.
I truly believe that we have been spoiled by 15yrs of Carey Price and are used to having the goalie win the games.
Habfan30, I don’t necessarily disagree with what you say, which is why I prefaced my post with “IF the Habs have a short playoff run, and their exit is laid at the feet of inconsistent goaltending …”
Again, IF they are knocked out early I doubt anyone will be pointing fingers at a sudden drop in offense … they can score with the best of them. It will stem from either an overall downturn in their overall defensive structure (including the Fs) – which I don’t see transpiring either, or inconsistent goaltending – to me the most likely culprit – perhaps as a result of the increased pressure and expectations.
Personally, I see them doing well this time around. I only brought up that summer goalie shopping above on the basis of that big IF.
Tonight and tomorrow I see them winning both of the back-to-backs … especially as both are – in effect – “home” games (they’ll be flocking over from Gatineau – LOL).
HF30. To be fair Dobes has lost 10 games and Montembeault has lost 12 games – you have to count OT and shootout losses. I checked on Quant Hockey website and Montembeault is 53rd for GAA and 56th in save %. Dobes is marginally better with 39th GAA and 41st in save %. This is out of 59 goalies they have listed. This is why most Hab fans agree that we have a “goalie situation”. if this continues then goaltending must be their #1 priority in the offseason. And yes we do need a shut down RD as well but the kind that can play 25 minutes a night not a 6th Dman playing 10 minutes per night. Lastly I agree that historically we have been spoiled with Dryden, Roy, Theodore and Price to name a few in my lifetime but surely there has to be some middle ground between those goalies and the ones we have now. A few extra saves per game with our offence is the difference between winning and losing.
Habsman67,
I didn’t include OT for the simple reason that 3×3 is totally different and rarely is the goalie at fault.
Shootouts are also rarely a goalie issue, I mean best players with all the time in the world on a penalty shot, over and over.
Habs goalie numbers do in fact line up pretty well with acknowledged very good tenders.
Main reason I like them is their bounce back after a bad goal and they shut it down and their play after a loss. They have the right temperament and unlike many, they never shift the blame always hold themselves accountable.
HF30: Goalie stats include OT. And goalies are expected to make saves during OT and shoot outs as well. Not to be patronizing, but that wasn’t your best though.
The Habs outscore their way out of their deficiencies, and as you know the playoffs are a different style, much more dependent on defence, including goaltending.
LJ,
Set aside the explanation I gave and take the goalies with their “full w-l”
Dobes- 20-6
Montembeault- 10-8
Bobrovsky- 23-19
Markstrom- 19-15
Binnington- 9-18
Kuemper- 15-13
Oettinger – 25-10
Dostal- 25-14
Wolf- 18-23
Shesterkin- 20-12
Sorokin- 23-14
Thompson- 22-18
Are there better goalies than the Habs tandem? Of course
They are not the glaring shortcoming on the team though.
Ok, that’s food for thought, HF30. Thanks.
I do ask, rhetorically, do you like I start watching a Habs game wondering which version of Dobes or Monty we get?
Hf 30 Don t forget Ken Dryden and Bunny Laroque.
….and some guy named Patrick Roy….
Also Jacques Plante and Charlie Hodge ,?
Hell, I go back to Bill Durnan! I even got his autograph one summer when he was touring with the Habs softball team.
Steve Penny got hot to beat the Bruins in a playoff upset, so did Jose Theodore.
So my guess Dobes gets on a major heater come playoff time to keep the tradition alive.
Based on everything that’s come out, it would seem that the failed Habs deal involved a top 6 forward with term left on his contract from a team that is pretty much out of the playoff picture and is outside the division.
My guess is that it involved one of the following players: Konecny, Bratt, Hischier, Kyrou. Someone mentioned Tom Wilson yesterday. Possible but I have some doubt. Maybe Boeser or Pettersson if the Canucks would retain significant salary.
Why would the Blues trade Thomas…a first line center, young, right shot and of course everyone wants him…maybe just stay in St-Louis…the habs want him of course he would be their first line center but they don’t want to give up anything as usual and by the way is anyone starting to get tired of Pierre Lebrun or Lebrounne as they call him
Don:
Compare Suzuki’s stats with Thomas and tell us if you still think Thomas supplants Suzuki as first line center. Or why Suzuki made Team Canada and Thomas did not.
I am not tired of Pierre Lebrun. He’s fair in his assessments, well connected and well respected. Your disinclination is your own to enjoy.
Well politics involved in Suzuki making the Canada Team …Sheifle and/or Hyman would have been GOLD instead of Suzuki and yes I would still take Thomas over Suzuki any day
If you can get Reinbacher and Hague and a first I do that all day for knies. Trade Matthews and nylander for more established players in mid 20’s Like byfield, Lafrenière, Beniers. Hope McDavid wins a cup with Edmonton then sign him in 2 years. Rebuild complete lol
Jeff
If the Leafs are considering trading Knies I think the summer would be a better option. More teams would likely enter the chat.
No thanks on Reinbacher. Yes indeed on Hage. Any trade involving Knies would have to involve an NHL player coming back.
For Knies, I’d prefer a package from NJ centred around Nemec
The Leafs need to sit any players with nagging injuries and call up some Marlies players worthy of a look.
What’s the fair assessment for Knies 23y/o, who has yet to break the 30 goal plateau (29 doesn’t count) or the 60 pt plateau (58 doesn’t count) and has only played 222 NHL games.?
He’d be the 3rd highest scorer on the Habs.
Reinbacher 21 y/o, Hage 19y/o, 1st round pick 18y/o have a combined 0goals, 0 points 0 NHL games played.
What is a fair assessment of a trade of 3 prospects for a proven 23y/o top 6 player.
I could live with a package around nemec. Agree summer would bring more teams to the table.
Reinbacher, Hage and a first for Knies?
Not a chance, Jeff.
Yes Knies is a big power forward but he usually skates with Matthews, and also with Marner when he was still a Leaf but he has yet to break the 30 goal or 60 point plateau. So let’s fairly assess Knies’ trade value.
If he skates with Suzuki caufield I think that is a pretty good situation for him to succeed. Not sure if that is an over ask. All 3 assets have yet to play in the nhl full time so there is some risk involved plus the D has had trouble staying healthy. Knies upside would be worth the price for Montreal.
LJ
Why is Knies worth less because he plays with Matthews?
Wouldn’t he be playing 1st line minutes in Montreal?
If Reinbacher is so good, why hasn’t he played an NHL game yet?
It’s doubtful the Leafs are going into full rebuild mode, so they will want NHL ready players back.
As I mentioned earlier, if Nemec is available he’s already shown he can play in the NHL and would be ahead of Reinbacher in any trade.
I believe that a trade with MTL, would start with Hage, Xhekaj, and a 1st.
Knies is a big, fast, physical winger not yet in his prime and cost controlled for the next 7 seasons.
Reimer wins in Ottawa, the same Reimer that lost to the Bruins in seven games many moons ago in the playoffs. Ottawa has Ullmark and Reimer, better goaltending then the Habs have or at least equal to them. Montreal’s Achilles heel is between the pipes.
Marchand is gone for the rest of the season in Florida, with five more years remaining on his contract. Yikes.
I would like to see Poitras get a call up, he would look good between Geekie and Pastrnak.
Brunet gets signed for two more years. Perhaps Sweeney revisits a Lohrie trade at the draft, and Brunet starts next season in Boston.
Time will tell.
Cheers.
Brunet could play for the bruins this year Dipietro is already way better than Korpisalo
and I think he’s better than Swayman.
Dipietro has played well for a couple years in Providence and looks to be ready, with you on that.
Not sure what to do with Korpisalo, eat a million and trade him to Edmonton!
There were comments earlier in the season about Knies bulking up last summer and that that had affected his skating. Not sure what to make of that but, if he’s back and trains for quickness this summer, we might see his potential again.
I hope he stays a Leaf.
I hope the coach does not.
Korpisalo was very weak a couple of nights ago. He plays on his knees too much, always leaving the top corners open. I agree on Dipietro, I don’t see him, but follow his accomplishments through the web. He’s been the AHL’s top goalie for the second year running. He’s earned the chance to backup Swayman next season. I would look for Sweeney to trade him (Korpisalo) at the draft, package him up with a pick to get a return. I think Sweeney will not be able to sneak him through the waiver wire next season, so one would think that after the Boston organization put so much effort into him, they would want to keep him, because you don’t really know his ceiling.