The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens were reportedly talking about a major trade ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline on March 6. Toronto forward Matthew Knies was to move to Montreal, but this fell through eventually, and insiders can't agree on why.

On Sunday, June 7, the NHL Rumour Report first shared an X post. League insider Darren Dreger from TSN was speaking on The Morning Show with Connor McKenna and Shaun Starr. Dreger noted that the Knies trade deal did not work for a specific reason.

“Darren Dreger: Yes, there were conversations on Matthew Knies with the Habs, did it ever get close to the finish line? No, it didn't really; Michael Hage would've been a part of that and...it wasn't gonna happen from Montreal's standpoint - Morning Show/McKenna & Starr (6/5)."

Montreal pulled the plug when Toronto asked for young and promising center Michael Hage in return.

Within three hours of this post on X, the NHL Rumour Report quoted league insider Jeff Marek on the matter. He was hosting one of the latest editions of “The Sheet” on Daily Faceoff.

Marek alluded to the Maple Leafs asking for teenage winger Alexander Zharovsky and young defenseman Bryce Pickford. Draft selections were also requested to trade Knies to the Canadiens.

“Jeff Marek: Re Matthew Knies rumoured blockbuster offer: Alexander Zharovsky...I believe Bryce Pickford...and two first round picks - The Sheet (6/5),” they wrote.

While these two insiders disagree on the trade details, Knies might be on his way out of the Maple Leafs sooner rather than later.

Why Did Matthew Knies' Trade From the Toronto Maple Leafs not happen?

Matthew Knies wasn't traded from Toronto to Montreal because the deal was submitted 60 seconds past the 3 PM ET trade deadline on March 6.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet detailed the matter on the “32 Thoughts: The Podcast” this past Friday.

“Now, I've heard some different variations on why it was late and whose fault it was that it was late, but I don't know for sure. But suffice it to say, a lot of people pointed fingers at other people or gave different reasons as to why it didn't happen” said Friedman.

Now that Toronto has appointed a new GM in John Chayka, the trade deal is unlikely to happen.

“I think it's possible Montreal wanted to revisit it, but I don't believe it will happen. I think that deal is off the table now,” Friedman explained.

He also alluded to Knies potentially joining the Canadiens for Alexander Zharovsky, another top prospect, and two first-round picks arriving at the Maple Leafs in return.

This seemingly agrees with Jeff Marek’s stance on the matter and what some of the other insiders have also talked about.

Will Matthew Knies leave the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer? Share your prediction in the comments.

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Written by

Arjun Sharma

Edited by

Surjo Ray