Rumor: Three teams after Leafs' star Matthew Knies

According to a report from NHL insider David Pagnotta, the Toronto Maple Leafs are receiving plenty of trade interest for star forward Matthew Knies.

The 23 year old Knies just completed the first year of a seven year contract that pays him $7.54 million per season so you wouldn't expect his name to be on the market... yet... it is.

Pagnotta reports that the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks and Utah Mammoth have all expressed interest in Knies in the past and he expects the Blackhawks to circle back this offseason:

"There were a bunch of teams, Montreal, Chicago, Utah, there were a few others that reached out; I think Chicago will try again," said Pagnotta to The Athletic earlier today.

Pagnotta neglected to elaborate but it's worth mentioning that Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson has gone on record saying that the 4th overall pick in the upcoming 2026 Draft is available "for the right price."

If new Leafs GM John Chayka indeed decides that his team is entering a rebuilding phase, he could jumpstart things with both the 1st and the 4th overall picks in the upcoming Draft. And that's saying nothing for a return in a potential Auston Matthews trade.

Thoughts, Leafs fans?