NHL Rumor Mill – March 17, 2026
Check out the latest on Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies and the latest Senators speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
MORE MATTHEW KNIES SPECULATION
TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes trading Matthew Knies would make sense for the Maple Leafs, even if it means shipping him to the Montreal Canadiens.
Knies is what Kypreos calls a unique combination of physicality and scoring. The 23-year-old winger is also on a team-friendly contract with an average annual value of $7.75 million through 2030-31. He also lacks no-trade protection until the final season of his deal.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthews Knies (NHL Images).
If the Maple Leafs want to make a big splash in the trade pool, shopping Knies would be easier to do than attempting to move Auston Matthews or William Nylander, who have full no-movement clauses. The Leafs would have complete control of trading the young power forward, which could give them better odds of landing high-end talent to help secure the club’s future.
The Canadiens have plenty of exciting young players to choose from, including center Michael Hage and defenseman David Reinbacher. Defenseman Kaiden Guhle and prospect center Owen Beck are names worth watching.
Kypreos also listed the Chicago Blackhawks and Utah Mammoth as possible trade partners. Like the Canadiens, they also possess promising youngsters who could be enticing to the Maple Leafs.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: William James recently suggested the Philadelphia Flyers should attempt to get into the bidding for Knies. He would bring a needed boost at left wing among their top-six forwards. James proposed dangling Noah Cates and/or Cam York in a trade offer.
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Ben Pope recently wondered if the Blackhawks might pursue Kines, St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas, or Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson.
Knies could be the best option of the three. Pope pointed to his youth, ongoing upside, and affordable contract. He also noted that the young winger is likely the Maple Leafs’ best trade chip to acquire draft picks and prospects.
The Blackhawks have plenty of salary cap space to take on Knies’ contract. Like the Canadiens and Mammoth, they have a deep pool of promising young players on their roster and within their system to draw on for trade bait.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Knies would be the Maple Leafs’ best trade chip for all the reasons cited by Kypreos, James, and Pope. That would explain why they reportedly floated the young winger’s name in the trade market to gauge his value.
Whether the Maple Leafs revisit that plan in the offseason depends on whoever is sitting in the general manager’s seat. Current Leafs GM Brad Treliving is in the final season of his contract, and it’s rumored he won’t be getting an extension.
If Treliving is let go, his replacement could decide that Knies is worth keeping and consider other options. Those could include moving Matthews or Nylander if they’re open to the idea.
UPDATE ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch believes adding a right-shot defenseman will be an offseason priority for the Senators.
GM Steve Staios scoured the market for such a blueliner before the March 6 trade deadline. His top target was MacKenzie Weegar, but the Calgary Flames traded him to the Utah Mammoth before the deadline.
Staios hasn’t ruled out promoting top prospect Carter Yakemchuk into that role.
DAILY FACEOFF: Tyler Yaremchuk and Brent Wallace wondered if there might be some changes for the Senators if they miss the playoffs this year.
Wallace expects defenseman Nick Jensen won’t be back, and he doesn’t see where veterans Lars Eller, Claude Giroux, or Nick Cousins fit in next year’s plans. He also doesn’t think that trading struggling starting goalie Linus Ullmark is a discussion.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a difficult season for Ullmark, but the Senators will likely stick with him. He’s in the first season of a four-year contract, and they have no one within their system to replace him. They’ll likely work with him during the offseason to help him regain his form.
Ullmark’s “form” – or lack thereof – seems to be between his ears. He plays both ends of a back-to-back and shuts out Pacific Division # 1 Anaheim, then allows 4 on 23 shots against San Jose (and gets the win anyway because the guys in front of him pot 7).
Let in 4 of 23 sounds bad but……were any of those “soft” goals???
I think Ulmark is still the “guy”.
The one against Misa he’d probably like back. I didn’t have a problem with the rest.
A usual an article to make news by Garrioch. I don’t think the Sens do anything big and splashy with their defense. The structure was what was needed. When they all pull the rope the same way it works. Another good dev year for Klevin. Spence looks like a win, Mattinpalo also trending in the right direction. They’ll need the money to resign those free agents and Batherson will need a new deal as a streaky 30 goal man. I say they roll with the same team next year – heck even Jensen and Reimer might be back
Dark G, Jensen has played his last game for Ottawa. He turns 36 in September and just had knee surgery – almost on the heels of hip surgery – and is done. Yakemchuk likely gets the call-up.
It seems Sanderson is expected to resume skating early next week, so a sooner-than-expected return in his case will certainly help.
Ullmark seems like what we typically see when a player signs a big contract their first year. Something goes off and players place an added expectation to deliver due to the fat contract commitment.
I’m in no way saying this is the reason, etc. but just wanted to remind everyone this phenomenon is more common than not for players, free agents or not, seem to struggle to live up to big contracts year one into it.
That thought has crossed my mind as well Ron.
As a Sabre follower about Ullmark. Highs and lows, biggest highs with Boston.
GeorgeO wasn t that long ago that Sens fans were thanking Boston for trading Ullmark there,knowing Boston couldn t afford both he and Swayman.If Ron Moore philosophy is right that happened to Swayman who was awful last year and has been lights out this season. Wish it happened for Elias Lindholm who has had 2 subpar seasons in Boston.
Ullmark and Chabot for Jarry and Nurse.
HELL no.
Well if you’re offering…
the new Leafs management needs to sit down with Matthews first, and see where he is at, in terms of loyalty to the organization, before proceeding to tear down the team around him. He isnt going to be happy to see the team trade Kneis, the only power forward the LEafs have on their roster, for prospects, who won’t help the team for a few years.
if Matthews is committed to the team long term, Kneis won’t be traded,the team will get rid of Morgan Reilly and other expensive contracts, and build up their roster to contend.
I surely don’t see an inexperienced coach replacing Berube, but rather a winning coach (Deboer?) to move the team forward.
if Matthews isn’t so committed to the team, then he has got to go, and Kneis and others can follow. But I can’t see that being approved by Leafs ownership, who wants season tickets sold and viewers watching their games.
Good points Mike. But Knies should not be traded regardless of what happens with Matthews. The things that make him attractive to other teams are the reasons to keep him around. Good young player to build around.
How do you get rid of Reilly?
Chrisms I so agree . The Leafs can’t afford to attach a pick to a team he would agree to go to . Everyone has this fantasy because he lived close to Vancouver he would love to go to there .
They are a losing seemingly lost franchise at the moment . Will things turn around for them yes but I am not thinking during his career . Why would he wave to go there .
Name one other team without the Leafs retaining something or adding something that he would agree to go to
Chris you’re a Pens fan right? You have Karlsson there are Riley is a Karlsson lite with just a smidgen better defensibly, lower cap hit and more term.
If you’re thinking you’ll get a handsome return, you’ll be mistaken but like both players, they have their uses and there are teams that could use them. In Riley’s case, I think he’s been miscasted and it is very clear that’s the case.
mikep, yes it is essential for the Leafs to have a conversation with Matthews. But holding onto Knies surely won’t make a difference for the Leafs over the next several years. Their prospects are ranked poorly, they have little trade value other than Knies, and currently no first or second round pick in 2026.
If Matthews wants to stay for the next two years (and beyond), he is facing a rebuild no matter what.
Knies+ Matthews for Robertson and Harley
Tickets still sell! 😁
JT and Nylander play C
Johnny: the dollars don’t work for the Stars in your projected trade. They current have a projected $14.9 million with 18 active roster players under contract for 2026-27. You’re sending Harley’s $10.5 million to Toronto, giving them over $25 million. However, Matthews and Knies combined is $21 million, leaving them with roughly $4 million for the remainder of their roster. That includes a significant raise for Mavrik Bourque (RFA with arbitration rights), who’ll likely seek around $4 million annually, leaving nothing left for the rest of the roster.
Trade Knies? Why? Now that makes no sense whatsoever
I agree Toronto St Pats. He’s the very type of player they’ll be seeking in order to shore up over the summer.
As things stand now, they are committed to 9F, 7D, 2G at a total cap cost of $80,040,249. With the cap limit set to rise to $104,000,000, that gives them close to $24 mil with which to sign 5.
I’m not about to get into what they should – or should not – do with regards to Matthews, Nylander or Rielly, for example, but I would say they should re-up RFA Maccelli who has shown he can be a decent 3rd/4th line type with his 14g 19a 33pts. Robertson, another RFA, is probably better off being dealt, and I know nothing about Quillan, another RFA. Of their 3 UFAs – Jarnkrok, Stecher and Benning – let them walk. Surely they can do better off the UFA list with that $24 mil in reserve.
Players with term that they should be looking to move include Domi, Lorentz, Joshua, Tanev.
You know George, I don’t see the Leafs have the option of a total rebuild. Knies would bring the best return, but do you really want to tear down that much? The buds don’t have a first rounder next two years, so they won’t be able to take advantage of being bad for a few more seasons. And nothing works unless you can get Nylander and Mathew’s to leave as well.
This has the potential to be the 1980’s all over again. If they want to tear down altogether.
And you need a new GM to conduct the reconstruction as well.
The reason to trade Knies is because he’ll bring the best return, 3 good pieces for the next window.
Keeping him will just waste a few good years of TML continued downward spiral.
I’d trade for Knies and wouldn’t touch Matthews or Nylander for example.
HF30: that is based on the assumption that Matthews and or Nylander want to stick it out.
Here is an article musing about McDavid’s age from last year:
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/edmonton-oilers-connor-mcdavid-leon-draisaitl-sidney-crosby-wayne-gretzky
McDavid at 28 is aware of the clock ticking on his career. Matthews is also 28, and Nylander is 29.
LJ,
Nylander is signed long term for an amount of money that I wouldn’t want on the Habs, even if he was willing.
Matthews has a contract too rich for my liking as a Hab even if he agreed, knowing that two years from now his intent is a an even bigger contract, on a now questionable knee.
Knies has more value immediately and long term for the Habs, and worth going for. He’s a Martin Necas with bite and a perfect top 6 fit on the Habs.
Guhle, Beck, 1st 2025.
IMO the Leafs need to determine what the strategy is. Try for the quick turnaround with the current core, or determine the current core can’t get it done and start over, which the average turnaround time back to playoffs is 7 years.
I don’t know the answer to that question, but they sure don’t seem to have many cards to play to turn it around quickly. Knies being the big one.
And agree, if they do the full rebuild, can’t see the current core being thrilled with that so will likely be open to waiving. Especially Matthews as he isn’t that far away from UFA, where he will have plenty of options.
Teams don’t like doing that though. Would be interested to hear what the Leaf fans on here think, try the quick turnaround or go full rebuild?
I would think that the maple leafs would want to hold onto someone like knies. If they are going to tear it down, I would move mathews and nylander while they can reap good returns for them @ present, go from there. Then again, those guys are the ones people come to see but it doesn’t seem like it has worked for Toronto? Why not, it can’t get anymore disappointing? Start fresh
Knies cannot be the only chip on the move. A real GM has to be in charge to devise a plan with current assets and what may be coming.
Pump the brakes bud. Downward spiral! Holy crap that was sudden. Should the Jets tear it all down too? They look terrible this year after finishing tops in the league last year.
Although some players are the problem, mainly because they are round pegs forced in square holes, coaching and management, (and injuries) this year are mainly to blame. What the Leafs accomplished last year was great tops in the conference but like we all saw and I mentioned, their underline numbers prove that this year was inevitable. Management should’ve also noticed this and made the appropriate changes. They didn’t and when injuries hit, and the season starting to go weird, where many players play was off, a system I’ll suited for this team…We’ll get this result no matter what team we are talking about.
Is it a coincidence that a 3 time rocket Richard and one time Hart winner had his worse seasons with coach Burbe? If his coaching is doing that to Matthews, it’s affecting all.
For what it’s worth here is a Montreal fan’s take on the Leafs and Sens. First let’s do the Leafs:
Tor should do the following trades to rebuild/retool and try to build a positive team culture of family/brotherhood.
1) Matthews to Utah for Desnoyers, Iginla and a 1st round pick. (two top 10 picks)
2) Knies to Montreal for Dach, Beck, Engstrom and a 1st because Mtl aren’t trading Hage or Reinbacher (so basically equivalent of 3 firsts plus a reclamation project in Dach)
3) Rielly to Edm for Nurse as Edm needs to dump that contract and put the C on his chest. Nurse might only waive to go home to GTA. Plus Tor will need salary to get to the cap floor.
Then going forward they have a top six of
Nylander-Desnoyer-Dach or 2026 pick
Cowan-Tavares-Iginla
Joshua-Beck-Domi
On D:
Nurse-McCabe
OEL-Engstrom
This IMO would be a good start to build around a core of Desnoyer Iginla and Engstrom plus the players from the 2026 1st round picks.
As for Ottawa, I don’t get the media hype that they are an up and coming young team. They have Stutzle and Sanderson but core players Chabot, Giroux and Ullmark are on the downside. Plus in the system they have only the two RD Yakemchuk and Hensler and little else. But I digress.
Ott should get ahead of any Tkachuk situation and trade him while his value is so high, worst thing for them would be if it came out that he wants to go to a US team. So they should do the following:
1) Tkachuk and Yakemchuk to St Louis (who are looking for RD) for Robert Thomas and Kyrou.
2) Cozens for a top 4 RD since he’s expendable since the C depth would be Stutzle, Thomas, Pinto and Greig. Or even move Stutzle to the wing and Pinto up to 2C.
3) Use at least two of your 3 3rd round picks to draft goalies because you have to get goalies in the system to develop to join Ullmark.
4) Sign a legit back up goalie from the UFAs or target a team with 3 goalies to get a guy like Devon Levi from Buf, etc.
As a Montreal fan I honestly hope they don’t do any of this but if I were looking to build up these teams this is what I would do.
You almost lost me with the Drive for 25 handle, but read it anyway.
Credit for actually putting specifics in there that we all get to pick apart!
Agree with the overall theme of it as a goal, it makes sense to me.
I can see the Oil trading Nurse, but not for Reilly.
Overpay for Matthews IMO. He will pick where he goes. One of the 2 prospects and a 1st is all they get as he gets to pick his spot. Only get 2 years of him, plus he’s coming off major surgery. But I would trade him if I was the Leafs, just seems like it’s over in Toronto and they need to start again.
But wouldn’t bet on it.
Great imagination Drive. I wish we still had an NHL that allowed such free wheeling
The fact that Treveling apparently was contemplating trading Knies is reason enough to fite Treveling. Every GM takes him to the cleaners.
Knies should be captain, get rid of all figure skaters.
Ullmark has been better since returning, even if still not great.
Leafs should trade the player that gets them the best return, probably Knies
Ottawa should look at Hronek