Matthew Knies wishes he could have stayed in Toronto

It's never easy when a young player gets uprooted from the only NHL home he's ever known, especially when he thought he was there to stay. Matthew Knies, now settling into life with the Columbus Blue Jackets, sat down with media ahead of his first game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and opened up about the whirlwind of emotions that came with his offseason trade. The conversation was candid, a little bittersweet, and gave fans on both sides of the deal plenty to chew on.

Knies had every reason to believe he was a Leaf for the long haul. He played through the entire preseason, had conversations with media and management that pointed toward stability, and was mentally locked in for another year in Toronto. Then his phone started buzzing on what he described as a perfectly normal day after practice, and within an hour, everything changed.

"I was pretty shocked," Knies admitted. He acknowledged that trade speculation had followed him throughout the summer, but the timing still caught him off guard. And when asked directly about how he felt regarding the way things ended in Toronto, Knies didn't hold back: "I wish I could've experienced my time there a little bit longer, but it happens. Things like that happen."

Adjusting to life in Columbus

The logistical side of being traded is something fans rarely think about, and Knies painted a vivid picture of just how disorienting it can be. He revealed that the night before his media availability was his first night out of a hotel room in Columbus. His first home-cooked meal in weeks. His first time driving himself to the arena, figuring out where to park, finding his spot. All the little things that most players take for granted were brand new challenges.

On the ice, Knies has been slotted alongside Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson, and while the chemistry is still developing, he sounds optimistic about the potential. Communication is improving, chances are being generated, and it's really just a matter of finishing. The Blue Jackets weren't off to the hottest start, but Knies expressed confidence that better results were coming.

Off the ice, his new teammates have made the transition easier. Zach Werenski apparently praised Knies for being a funny presence in the locker room, and Knies returned the compliment by calling his new teammates "super welcoming" and full of personality. "A lot of loudmouths in there," he said with a grin. "It's not quiet, and I love it like that."

Facing old friends and Auston Matthews

Perhaps the most intriguing storyline heading into the matchup was Knies lining up against Auston Matthews for the first time after spending three seasons as his teammate. Knies called it "pretty interesting" and noted that it wouldn't be easy for either of them, having gone from playing alongside each other to competing head to head.

When asked if there was extra motivation to beat the Leafs because they moved him, Knies kept things diplomatic. Every game matters, he said, and the focus is on getting back in the win column regardless of the opponent. Still, you could sense that this one carried a little extra weight.

Knies also took a moment to reflect on his favorite memory in a Leafs uniform, pointing to John Tavares' overtime winner against Tampa Bay during his first playoff run. "That was so crazy for me," he recalled. "That playoff run was so cool."

As for his message to Toronto's passionate fan base, Knies expressed nothing but gratitude. He felt the love, appreciated the intensity of the market, and wished everyone well. But he also made it clear that it's time to move forward. He's got new teammates to build with, new relationships to forge, and a new city to call home. The page has been turned, even if the memories of Toronto will stick with him for a long time.