The Toronto Maple Leafs held onto Matthew Knies at the trade deadline despite plenty of buzz surrounding his availability, but new reports suggest the Chicago Blackhawks were among the teams pushing hardest to acquire the 23-year-old power forward. And with Toronto now staring down a full-scale retool, the Blackhawks might not be done trying.
According to insider Frank Seravalli, Chicago made a run at Knies before the deadline passed. The interest makes sense on the surface; Knies is a rugged, scoring-capable winger who could slot alongside Connor Bedard and provide the kind of net-front presence the Blackhawks desperately need. What's less obvious is why a rebuilding team like Chicago would pursue a player who doesn't fit their typical timeline.
Why the Blackhawks Wanted Knies
The Blackhawks have largely avoided splashy moves in free agency or on the trade market, opting instead to develop internal talent and stockpile picks. But this season exposed a glaring problem; Bedard doesn't have a legitimate linemate who can finish plays, win board battles, and create space in the offensive zone. Chicago hung around the playoff race for a while before the wheels came off, and it became clear that accelerating the rebuild with the right complementary piece might be worth deviating from the long-term plan.
Elliotte Friedman added context to Chicago's approach, noting that the Blackhawks have been hunting for a Bedard wingman for a while now.
"They've looked [for a Connor Bedard linemate]; two summers ago, they tried to get Jake Guentzel; I heard they were around some things at the deadline this year."
That "something" appears to have been Knies. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound winger brings the kind of physicality and scoring touch Chicago lacks. He's not a star, but he's exactly the type of player who could elevate Bedard's game by doing the dirty work and finishing in high-danger areas. For a team trying to take the next step, Knies fits the profile.
Why Toronto Held On
The Leafs ultimately decided not to move Knies at the deadline, even as rumors swirled about a potential blockbuster deal with the Montreal Canadiens. Part of the reluctance likely stemmed from uncertainty about the organizational direction; Brad Treliving was fired shortly after the deadline, and Toronto's front office was already in flux. Trading a cost-controlled, 23-year-old power forward without knowing what the incoming GM's vision would be didn't make sense.
Knies is also under team control and fits into multiple roster constructions. If the Leafs retool around Auston Matthews, he's a complementary top-six piece. If they pivot toward a longer rebuild, he's a tradeable asset who should only appreciate in value as he enters his prime. Holding onto him at the deadline bought Toronto time to figure out which path they're taking.
Could Chicago Circle Back?
The short answer is yes, but the price tag just went up. At the deadline, the Leafs were still clinging to playoff hopes and might have been willing to move Knies for the right return without fully committing to a teardown. Now, with Toronto officially in retool mode and a new GM incoming, the asking price for a player like Knies will be significantly higher.
Nick Kypreos: Re Matthew Knies: Chicago’s interest comes as no surprise; Kyle Dubas had talked with the Blackhawks about a trade...a few years ago; many are suggesting the Blackhawks’ interest in Knies hasn’t wavered - Toronto Star (3/13)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) March 17, 2026
Chicago has the assets to make a deal happen. They've got picks, prospects, and cap flexibility. The question is whether they're willing to part with the equivalent of multiple first-rounders or high-end prospects for a player who's good but not elite. Knies is a complementary piece, not a franchise cornerstone. Paying a premium for that type of player is a gamble, especially for a team still in the early stages of a rebuild.
If the Blackhawks view Knies as a core piece; someone who can grow alongside Bedard and anchor their top six for the next five-plus years; they might be willing to pay whatever Toronto asks. If they see him as a nice-to-have rather than a need-to-have, the price becomes prohibitive.
What Could the Leafs Realistically Get?
The Leafs aren't going to surrender Knies for a mid-round pick and a B-level prospect. If they're moving him, it's because the return is substantial enough to justify losing a young, physical winger who's already proven he can produce at the NHL level.
A realistic package from Chicago might include a first-round pick, a high-upside prospect, and potentially a secondary piece like a second-rounder or a depth player. Three first-round picks; as some reports have speculated; feels like an overpay unless the Blackhawks are truly desperate. But two firsts plus a prospect? That's the ballpark.
The complication is timing. If the Leafs wait too long, the market could shift. A team might lose a key forward to injury and become desperate for a replacement, driving up the price. Or the opposite could happen; other options emerge, and Toronto's leverage evaporates. The 2026 NHL Draft in late June is the first major deadline. If a deal is going to happen, it'll likely materialize before or during the draft when teams are actively wheeling and dealing.
Matthew Knies is a valuable trade chip, and the Blackhawks clearly see him as a potential fit alongside Connor Bedard. Whether Chicago circles back this summer depends on how aggressive they want to be in accelerating their rebuild and whether Toronto's new GM is willing to move a 23-year-old power forward who fits multiple timelines.
For the Leafs, the decision isn't about whether Knies has value; it's about whether the return maximizes their retool. If Chicago or another team is willing to overpay, Toronto should take the deal and run. If not, holding onto Knies and letting him develop further makes just as much sense.
The draft is two months away. That's when we'll find out if the Blackhawks' interest was real, or if this was just deadline posturing that won't materialize into anything concrete.
Tags: Matthew Knies | Chicago Blackhawks | Leafs Trade Rumors | Connor Bedard | Toronto Maple Leafs Offseason
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