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The future of winger Matthew Knies with the Toronto Maple Leafs remains up in the air, and the possibility of him being traded in the offseason still exists, according to reports.
According to Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos, Toronto attempted to trade Knies, 23, ahead of the recent March 6 trade deadline -- one month ago. The reporter revealed that despite Brad Treliving's recent firing as general manager, the forward's name continues to generate noise.
"Matthew Knies had been discussed in potential trades between the Toronto Maple Leafs and other teams leading up to March 6, but even now that GM Brad Treliving is gone, the forward's name continues to be bantered among the league long past the trade deadline," Kypreos wrote.
The same report indicates that under Treliving, the Leafs were asking for one of the following in exchange for Knies:
- Two first-round picks and a high-end prospect.
- One first-round pick and two high-end prospects.
- Three high-end prospects.
According to Kypreos, two of the NHL teams that were offered Knies were Chicago and Montreal, but both franchises were surprised by the offer and did not have time to prepare for a trade of that magnitude.
"A big issue for teams suspected to have been involved in those talks, including Montreal and Chicago, was how late the possibility was raised," Kypreos explained. "Toronto caught teams off guard with the idea, and some were unprepared to make a deal of that magnitude up against the deadline."
Pending the announcement of Toronto's next general manager, one of the first questions the new GM will have to answer is whether Knies fits into the much-needed rebuild the Maple Leafs are about to undergo.
Toronto was officially eliminated from playoff contention on Thursday after a 4-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks, ending a nine-year consecutive postseason streak.
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