GM John Chayka says Maple Leafs trade involving Matthew Knies would be ‘tough bar to hurdle’

5 days ago 4

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka played down the idea that the club will trade young power forward Matthew Knies. Read more.

Published Jun 19, 2026 • Last updated 32 minutes ago • 1 minute read

Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs controls the puck against the Washington Capitals.

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When John Chayka was introduced as Maple Leafs general manager last month, he discussed Matthew Knies’ unique skill set and the winger’s assets.

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Amid speculation that the Leafs could trade Knies this off-season, Chayka stressed on Friday that he likes what the 23-year-old power forward brings every night.

Trade Knies? Doesn’t sound like it.

“The idea that we’re going to improve the roster by moving a top young player … anything’s possible, I guess it’s not probable,” Chayka said during a Zoom call with media. “No doubt, I think (the speculation) makes for good writing and good interest for people, but as we think about our team, and how we improve, that’s a tough bar to hurdle.

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“As general manager, we’re going to evaluate everything, but that’s the job.”

We’d buy the notion that Knies could be dealt if the Leafs were going into rebuild mode.

With the hiring of experienced coach Jim Hiller on Wednesday and the sign-and-trade involving defenceman Darren Raddysh, the Leafs are in win-now territory.

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Trading Knies would fly in the face of that. As Chayka said back in early May, players who provide what Knies does, especially those who are young and signed to good contracts (Knies has five years remaining with an average annual value of $7.75 million US) are not easy to acquire. If you have one, you keep him.

As for trying to add a centre in the coming weeks, Chayka said “we definitely see it as an area of opportunity.”

He’s not alone in that thinking.

“I’d say probably three quarters of the team in the league would like to improve their centre position,” Chayka said.

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