The truth behind the Deadline disaster that killed monster Matthew Knies trade

One of the most chaotic trade deadline stories in recent NHL memory appears to have been a deal that almost, but not quite, happened between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs.

According to multiple reports circulating around the league, the two teams had come to an agreement on a massive framework involving Toronto winger Matthew Knies.

In exchange, the Canadiens were prepared to send a major package back to Toronto, including top prospect Alexander Zharovsky, another high-end prospect, and two first-round draft picks.

Sources indicate the Canadiens initiated late-day discussions on deadline day, and the Maple Leafs ultimately accepted the framework of the deal.

But it never went through.

The reason, according to reports, is as brutal as it is simple: the trade was submitted to the league office after the 3 p.m. ET deadline, by less than a minute.

That timing error effectively killed what would have been one of the most significant deadline swings in recent league history.

“What I heard for the reason it didn’t happen was it was submitted at 3:01 PM. I heard some variations as to whose fault it was, but suffice to say a lot of finger pointing or gave different reasons as to why,” said Elliotte Friedman.

Earlier this week, Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes acknowledged that his team had come “very close” to completing a major deal before the deadline, hinting that discussions could be revisited in the offseason.

According to reports, Hughes was quite angry with Brad Treliving after the Knies trade was submitted at 3:01PM at the trade deadline.

It is widely believed that this is the same framework being referenced, though with Toronto now operating under new general manager John Chayka, the future of any potential deal has become far more uncertain.

Friedman has since suggested that the original opportunity may no longer be on the table, with momentum around the deal significantly cooled.

For Toronto, Knies remains a rapidly emerging core piece. I mean: he broke out with 66 points in 79 games, establishing himself as a reliable top-six winger with growing defensive responsibility and play-driving ability.

For Montreal, the missed opportunity represents both frustration and intrigue, but also a glimpse at how aggressive the organization was willing to be, and how fine the margins are at the NHL trade deadline.

In the end, a deal that could have reshaped two franchises came down to seconds, and a major blunder!