NHL Rumor Mill – March 27, 2026
Check out the latest on Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies and Canucks center Elias Pettersson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols recently looked at what it might cost the Devils if they were to acquire winger Matthew Knies from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthews Knies (NHL Images).
Knies, 23, was the subject of trade speculation before the March 6 trade deadline. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the Devils were among a handful of suitors with “serious interest” in the young Maple Leafs power forward.
Knies would be the perfect complementary winger to skate alongside Devils center Jack Hughes. It could cost the Devils defenseman Simon Nemec, who would immediately move up the Maple Leafs’ blueline depth chart.
Nichols also wondered whether the Leafs would be interested in a trade package including center Dawson Mercer, or perhaps a deal that includes prospect defenseman Seamus Casey and the Devils’ 2026 first-round pick. He doesn’t anticipate Devils veteran blueliner Dougie Hamilton being involved in this type of deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier this month, James Mirtle of The Athletic expressed his belief that the Maple Leafs shouldn’t trade Knies unless it’s for an elite first-line center or a top-pairing defenseman.
Mercer would not fill that need at center. However, Nemec has the potential to become a top-two blueliner. If the Devils make a pitch, the 22-year-old defenseman would have to be part of the return to draw any interest from the Leafs.
Meanwhile, Adam Proteau of The Hockey News considers Knies among a handful of untouchables on the Maple Leafs. If they’re going to rebuild, they need someone like Knies on their roster.
CANUCKS ARMY: Stephan Roget recently looked at several teams that might be willing to take struggling center Elias Pettersson off the Vancouver Canucks’ hands this summer.
The Carolina Hurricanes seem the most obvious choice, as it’s well-known that they attempted to acquire him from the Canucks. It was rumored that the two sides were close to a Pettersson-for-Martin Necas swap two years ago. They still need skilled scoring depth at center, and they have the cap space to take on Pettersson’s expensive contract.
Pettersson was also linked to the Detroit Red Wings before the March 6 trade deadline. Like the Hurricanes, they need additional scoring depth at center. The Los Angeles Kings could be in the market for a top-six center with Anze Kopitar retiring at the end of this season.
The New York Islanders could be a possibility as it would reunite Pettersson with former Canucks teammate Bo Horvat, especially with Mathew Barzal becoming more of a winger. The rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers also need help at center.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some interesting possibilities here, but Pettersson’s recent performance and his contract remain major sticking points in trade negotiations. He’s struggled to meet the lofty expectations that come with his hefty deal, failing to come anywhere close to his career-high 102 points in 2022-23.
Pettersson carries an average annual value of $11.6 million for six more years with a full no-movement clause, giving him full control over potential trade destinations. Even teams with a lot of salary-cap space could insist on the Canucks retaining salary to facilitate a trade.
Matthews to LA, not Petey 😎👍
I cant believe Pettersson is connected to Philly over and over again considering that Tocchet is the coach. It was on Tocchets watch Pettersson cratered, no Pettersson isnt blameless, but if the coach constanly tells you that you arent good enough it tends to stick after a while. So while Pettersson would accept a trade, Tocchet would resign before taking on Pettersson, he just hates the guy for not being what Tocchet thinks a player should be. There are other teams that could get involved but as it stands, dont expect much going back to Vancouver, especially with no retention. I can also see Columbus, San Jose and Pittsburgh kicking the can if the cost is low, especially if you could get Vancouver to retain 2m. And Pettersson should welcome a trade for his own good, he needs to have fun playing, right now its looks like its eating him up from the inside
Pettersson wouldnt accept a trade to philly, my mistake
NHL Summer Trade Surprises…2026
Matthews to Sharks
B Tkachuk to Panthers
McDavid to Knights
I like Matthew’s to the sharks for Misa, Graf, and San Jose’s 2026 1st rounder (unprotected)
Then trade nylander to Anaheim for mctavish and Moore or Helleson.
Leaf’s new core Knies, Mctavish, Misa and Cowan and tons of cap space to fill out the roster. Still need number one D and hopefully can get one with SJS pick.
Who knows if you are competitive in a couple of years and Mcdavid is available and like the leafs chances you might be able to land him.
Matthews to Ducks
B Tkachuk to Rangers
McDavid stays put
I think a change of scenery for Pettersson would do wonders for him. I don’t think he is the 100 point player but probably a great second line centre. If he goes to a team with already a number one centre I wouldn’t worry about the cap hit if you can afford it. Centres are hard to come by and if you can get one on the cheap (in terms of cost acquiring) it’s worth the over pay on the cap especially with the expected increase.
A team should not acquire him with the expectation he will be there number one centre.
If a team were to take on 100% of the contract, what would it cost? 2nd round pick and a prospect?
I’m with you half way, Jeff. Safest not to think of Petterssen as a # 1 center.
But the cap has real impact on a team (ask the Leafs, as an easy example), so it would be most unwise with gusts of foolish to take all of Petterssen’s cap hit.