The NHL trade deadline may have passed without a massive shockwave, but we now know why. According to renowned insider Nick Kypreos, Montreal Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes was working behind the scenes on a «home run» deal that would have rocked the hockey world: an intra-divisional trade for power forward Matthew Knies.
The Number One Target for Kent Hughes
Knies, 23, fits the exact profile Montreal is looking for to accelerate its rebuild. With an imposing frame (6’3″, 230 lbs) and the skill to play in a top-six role, the American forward is seen as the perfect complement to Nick Suzuki’s top unit. Montreal has had Knies on its radar since the 2021 draft, and it appears Hughes hasn’t stopped calling.
The Price of a «Unicorn» Power Forward
The price to pry Knies away from Toronto would have been astronomical. The young star is currently in the first year of a massive six-year, $46.5 million contract (signed in June 2025) that keeps him under team control through 2030-31 with a cap hit of $7.75 million.
Despite the high cost, Hughes was reportedly willing to «overpay» to secure a player of Knies’ caliber. So far this season, Knies has recorded 16 goals and 35 assists (51 points) in 61 games, proving he can produce while bringing a physical dimension that Montreal’s lineup currently lacks.
A Rivalry Renewed in the Front Office
While the Maple Leafs ultimately decided to keep their young core intact for the playoff push, the door isn’t completely closed. Kypreos suggests that while a deal didn’t materialize before the deadline, the conversation could very well be revisited during the offseason. If Toronto decides to shuffle its roster this summer, expect Montreal to be first in line.