- Darren Dreger says teams asked Toronto about Matthew Knies during the Woll trade talks
- Knies posted 23 goals and 66 points in 79 games this season
- Read below for where Knies fits as John Chayka reshapes the Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs moved Joseph Woll to Philadelphia on Tuesday, and his wasn’t the only name getting passed around Toronto’s front office.
Teams called the Leafs about Matthew Knies during those talks, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger. Several clubs ran their homework on both Woll and Knies before Toronto settled on the goalie deal.
Here’s Toronto’s side of the swap:
Knies in trade talk is not a new thing. His name came up at last season’s deadline, when a few teams kicked the tires, and nothing came of it. Some figured the chatter would quiet down once a new front office took over.
It hasn’t. John Chayka runs the Leafs now, and the Woll trade was his first real swing as general manager. Calls on a 23-year-old power forward come with the territory.
It’s easy to see why teams keep dialing. Knies put up 23 goals and 66 points in 79 games this season, he plays a heavy game down low, and he’s locked into a team-friendly deal with no trade protection.
Take a look at what Knies brings to a lineup:
There’s no sign Toronto is actively shopping him. A handful of executives around the league still think he gets moved before the dust settles, and the Leafs haven’t slammed the door either way.
The draft goes June 26, Chayka has already shown he’ll make a deal, and Knies is going to keep hearing his name until Toronto says otherwise.
