Leafs Trade Rumors

13 Jul 2026 15:06:11
If Rielly expanded his list to include Chicago, it does seem like a good fit for both teams.

Chi
Rielly $7.5M

Tor
Kaiser $1.7M

Hawks could use a veteran D that could help put up some offence. They have tons of young D-men, having a vet could help bring them along.

Right now, they just have Cole.

Leafs pick up a younger puck moving LD at a cost of only $1.7M and solve their cap issues. Kaiser and Andrae would be fighting for a spot.

13 Jul 2026 14:35:55
Pretty big If…. He will only go west.

13 Jul 2026 16:25:09
If he expands it will not be for Chicago.

13 Jul 2026 16:44:03
Teams that keep popping up for Rielly are Philly, Pitts and Van. Don’t know how much truth there is behind it or if Rielly is even willing to go to these teams 🤷‍♂️. Having an expanded list will hopefully improve his value tho 🤞.

13 Jul 2026 18:27:20
He’s already sad he won’t go to Vancouver.

13 Jul 2026 21:43:57
Philly for Seeler.
Pitt for Graves. That would be painful because Graves is not superb but only has 4.5 for 3.

12 Jul 2026 15:52:51
Maybe far fetched, what about Leafs send Rielly where he wants to go for picks. Offer sheet Arber for 3.5x3yrs. Need that toughness on back end. Gunna need it if we do make the playoffs and line up with Florida.

12 Jul 2026 16:32:15
Right now I’m sure the Leafs will take Anything for Rielly as long as they don’t retain salary.

In my opinion his value is dropping by the day.

Hope I’m wrong but not looking good right now.

12 Jul 2026 18:52:36
Well holding out a bit more won’t hurt. The market is getting expensive for D-men and will thin out as we get closer to September, and we have to be careful here. Reilly is 7.5 million a year and realistically can get 40 points, and he very well might have been a casualty of the Berube project, so it’ll be hard to make a hockey trade, not impossible, but patience is the way to go.

And hey, imagine he actually looks good this year; he either helps the team or could increase his value.

12 Jul 2026 21:08:46
Ya! I gotta soft sport for Rielly. To be honest, I just want what’s best for him.

The Leafs had soooo many options predraft and those options disappeared.

New management definitely miss handled this so far.

12 Jul 2026 21:41:44
Explain that to me King Matty…

12 Jul 2026 22:58:33
No problem buddy 👊

First and foremost I wish All Maple Leafs wore the Blue and White w pride like Rielly did. He’s gone above and beyond for the Leafs and community for 13x years. One thing I always admired about him is he takes rookies out to buy suits. This guy is a true leader that never avoided the media.

He wants to be a Leaf!!!! He’s doesn’t wanna go anywhere!!!! Now, after everything he’s done for the team and community the Leafs say “we wanna trade you 🥹, will you be willing to move 🥹?” and he regrettably gives the Leafs a 4x team list.



The Leafs had trades on the table working w Rielly’s list but Cheyka over played his hand and now those trades aren’t available and his value dropped.

I understand hockey is a business but as far as I’m concerned, the Leafs gotta show some respect for what Rielly has done and now they’re asking him to expand his list for teams he doesn’t wanna play for and cities he doesn’t wanna live in 🤔

So in conclusion, the Leafs (so far) have miss handle this.

Don’t forget, All free agents see this too.

13 Jul 2026 00:12:20
You never explained
You speculated on the trades they missed out on
I never saw anything that they fumbled
Did you?
Care to share?

13 Jul 2026 00:39:53
Will do buddy 👊

Gonna copy and paste...

Yes, the Maple Leafs reportedly had a deal in place to trade Morgan Rielly to the San Jose Sharks earlier this summer, but the Sharks ultimately backed out and acquired Darnell Nurse instead.



Not only that, Mike Johnson from TSN (pre-draft) constantly said teams were offering 2x mid level draft picks.

I Googled both; feel free to double check.

13 Jul 2026 01:00:07
I think it was what the market valued him at, not what was offered, that was being reported, and honestly, if that’s the return, he’s worth keeping around.

13 Jul 2026 01:17:14
Ok, let’s change the channel….

What is Morgan Rielly owed and what is he worth today?

My thoughts, Leafs should send him anywhere he wants and we’ll take anything in return, just No salary retention.

Huge win for the Leafs $$$$$$$

If the Leafs can do better and keep Rielly happy, I’m all in.

13 Jul 2026 02:25:14
At this point I think you keep him and see how it plays out. This team isn’t winning nothing this year anyway. Good chance he has a bounce back year with all the drama surrounding him plus with Raddysh here it should relieve some of the pressure and minutes.

13 Jul 2026 17:55:07
You need cap space now. I’m thinking Domi’s 3.75m is going to LTIR so Chayka not worried about overage, plus he can waiver a bunch of guys b4 finalizing the roster so no rush in dumping Rielly for nothing.

12 Jul 2026 14:20:55
Stirring the pot with another Matty Knies post😏

Leafs
Seider

Wings
Knies
Villeneuve

12 Jul 2026 13:26:08
Switch Seider with Larkin.

12 Jul 2026 13:54:04
I’d take either one. But if I had to pick, I’m leaning Seider.

Seider is younger and could be a core piece go’n forward, especially with his cap friendly salary.

“If” the Leafs were to ship Knies my thoughts have always been for picks and prospects but having Sieder in the lineup for the next 5x years 🤔 (interesting).

12 Jul 2026 13:58:44
Then no.
What is this obsession you have with 30 age + players for young thoroughbreds?
Plus not looking for forwards.
Need another stud on defence to replace the fossil Tanev.

12 Jul 2026 14:35:21
I would take Seider but not Larkin. As bad as we need a Centreman we don't need one that bails on his team in the middle of a Long term committed Contract. If they can't find a trade for him. He is going to be walking into a dressing room this fall to a very icy group of teammates.

By wanting out he sent a message to those other players he doesn't think they are good enough going forward. Not a good look from a guy I did not expect it from.

12 Jul 2026 14:50:26
Sufferingsince1967
Good point.

13 Jul 2026 00:17:04
Well here is where I will eat some humble pie. I have a friend who is a diehard Detroit fan and the growing sentiment there is they would rather have Larkin stay and Yzerman get fired. They say Larkin’s main issue is Yzerman is too conservative and the team just is not being aggressive enough in moves. My buddy said “In Toronto missing the playoffs one year fans are losing in, if you miss again they will call for Chayka’s head next year. In Detroit Stevie Y led us a great player. But as a GM … surely 7 straight years out of the playoffs you have to be gone.”

It opened my eyes for sure. So it kind of goes back to the contract stuff we have started talking harder about if late. Larkin has 5 years left and wants out, and many looked down on him (I admit I was one), but if it was other way round and the team wanted to get rid of him who do the fans side with? We have that scenario here actually.

We want to run Reilly out of town and truthfully he is one of classier guys in the game. Maybe that next CBA needs to address salary cap buyouts to allow more cap relief so teams (and players) can just wash their hands if each other to become a free agent in scenarios like these. Because sometimes there just is not a trade that works. Perhaps …. 1 contract every 2 or 3 years maximum per team can be bought out at the discount and taken off the cap at no penalty. I don’t know…. Just to many things to change in that CBA.

13 Jul 2026 15:02:46
And to back up Larkin again, the year before last he came out pissed that Yzerman didn’t add at the trade deadline and Yzerman didn’t add again at this years deadline too.

If anything, he’s sticking up for the boys and not turning his back on them.

7x years and no playoffs 😬

13 Jul 2026 16:06:58
7 and no playoffs here we would be on our 4th GM if not 5 lol.

10 Jul 2026 14:28:20
Would Knies, Koblar, Chadwick and our 1st from Colorado get us from Columbus Marchenko and Mateychuk (Marchenko in a sign and trade. Mateychuk would be an RFA next year, as would Marchenko, but get one contract done first). I like Knies but Marchenko I think brings a bigger goal-scoring punch with him. Mateychuk is going to have a massive breakout and would be our Quinn Hughes.

It might take an extra piece; I would suggest Roslovic to get us more cap room for Mateychuk to sign earlier, but Columbus had him once and probably doesn't want him again.

But our blue line would finally have that mobile d-man. Way more mobile than Reilly was in his early years.

If Domi is in dire shape career-wise we would have that LTIR to help with cap along with Reilly's money if we trade him for a prospect or draft picks.

Open to suggestions.

10 Jul 2026 16:48:02
I would do this. Fits perfectly with the retool on a short time frame that it seems this team wants to try.

You're going to get roasted for this because you brought up Knies, be ready lol.

10 Jul 2026 17:16:01
@LeafsLife Yeah probably lol. But I figure Marchenko has a proven track record and any teams that wait to long on Mateychuk will kick their butts. He will only want to play second fiddle to Werenski so long, so might as well grab him and make him first fiddle here sooner than later.

Been a fan of his since the WJC in 2024. If that team had better coaching without all the line juggling they would have done much better. The chemistry he had with Celebrini was crazy.

10 Jul 2026 18:26:27
Nice targets Suffering, but I doubt Columbus does it. I really doubt Mateychuk will be moved, especially since Werenski is probably not staying.

10 Jul 2026 18:39:14
I won’t roast (promise) 😂🤣😂

@Clarky17 is coming for ya 😂🤣😂

If I’m shipping out Knies, I’d wanna trade like Montreal was offering.

2 maybe 3 blue chip prospects and draft picks.

We are not in a Stanley Cup window right now, not even close. In my opinion we gotta stop w the bandaid ideas and think bigger.

Leafs gotta use cap flexibility for the next 2-4 years icing a team with short term contracts that can compete while loading up prospects and pics.



I wanna be like Montreal (can’t believe I just said that)

-GREAT players (all under $10m) 🤯
-GREAT prospects 🤯
-GREAT draft capital 🤯

* Leafs have a long way to go. If we don’t start thinking like Montreal (🤢🤮) the Cup drought will be endless.

Deep thought by 👑 Matty.

10 Jul 2026 18:50:06
I also forgot to mention they have $13m in cap space w another $8m or $9m of cap space coming next year 🤯.

😬

10 Jul 2026 19:00:33
I also believe the next CBA will benefit teams that have pics and prospects. Let’s take advantage of this before everyone else clues in.

10 Jul 2026 19:01:00
Mateychuk is not a Bandaid and neither is Marchenko if you lock them up for 5 to 7 yeas. Marchenko is only 2 year older than Knies and Mateychuk is only 22 in a couple of days. To get Mateychuk Columbus wants what we want for Knies essentially. If the rest of the package or a bit more gets us Marchenko we replace Knies but Mateychul takes our Defense and our power play to a completely other level. To trade for and tie up both of them quick would keep our cap in a better place than to have to try and shop for someone like them in a few yers.

Don't forget, King, we are on the outside looking in for a few years with no chance at and RFA's after season end. Best strategy is to trade now for them.

We do have assets to trade off for Salary relief. Reilly, Roslovic, Blueger (There is a reason neither of them didn't get any trade protection when we got them) and Domi's LTIR. I think if we traded for Mateychuk that Knies Contract and Roslovic might get Matechuk signed. Reilly's and Blueger and LTIR would probably get us Marchenko signed.

10 Jul 2026 19:21:05
@tags97 Hard to say. Columbus is a mess right now. If they wait until the end of the year and Werenski doesn't extend and they need to trade him before the Next year as a Free agent, they are in a pickly especially if Mateychuk has a 50 or 55 point season as most are forecasting and then he gets offer sheeted next summer.

10 Jul 2026 19:22:36
Who has the $13 in cap space King?

10 Jul 2026 19:32:58
I like your thinking for the Leafs, let’s call it plan “A”. Lots of things can go wrong w having just one plan (injuries, players underperforming and lack of cap space). We need a plan “B” prospect, plan “C” draft pics and plan “D” cap space to actually build a winning team. Right now we have none of this!!! None!!!! Plus when and if we ice a winning team that actually has a shot to win the Cup, we can use plans “B” “C” and “D” to get that final piece to put us over the top.



Right now we have no backup plan, Zero!!!!!!!

We are sooooo behind the 8ball on building a championship team right now. Big time!!!!

10 Jul 2026 19:35:46
I like the trade. My only issue would be half our lineup, including Matthews, would be up for renewal, and I think that opens the door to our beloved offer sheets and we may lose one or both of them.

10 Jul 2026 19:39:12
Sure we do. We just got rid of one of the best scouting minds in hockey. And we are going to have a department of 35 analytics people that are all ex employees of Stathletes that Chayka founded with his sister and she still owns/ But because he sold his interest in it before he was hired in Arizona he has no affiliation to it.

Now granted he did hire a bunch of ex employees at that time. And of course none of them would dare talk to anyone at their old company would they? lol lol.

10 Jul 2026 19:39:24
@Suffering

I took a quick peek at PuckPedia, Montreal has $13m in cap space.

10 Jul 2026 19:45:28
I'm sorry, LeafsGM78 I don't follow one or both of who to offer sheets?

10 Jul 2026 19:49:54
Plus, trading Knies won’t help us keep Matthews (Arizona brothers). From what I understand they’re very close and been training together all summer.

10 Jul 2026 19:50:55
Sorry, didn't realize you were talking about Montreal. Thought you were talking Toronto and Columbus. Yeah Montreal has $13 but they still need to sign 3 possibly 4 skaters.

10 Jul 2026 19:59:18
They didn't train this year together. Knies was training in Minnesota this year. I saw that about a month ago. But if trading for a Potential star denfenseman and a comparitive winger to Knies that would make us a better team and Matthews wanted out it woulnd't make a difference. I personally think he is going to leave anyway. Only my gut instinct. Might be wrong.

10 Jul 2026 20:15:01
Great chat boys 👊.

We obviously have different ideas but w all have the same goal.

Go Leafs Go!!!!!!

10 Jul 2026 20:35:50
My ultimate #1 power play would be to see Matthews parked off to top slot either side of the net depending on puck movement. Nick Paul parked in front of the net causing havoc and Darren Raddysh (Paul's old power play partner from Tampa) getting ready to either fire that big shot or faking out the opposition and having the two waterbugs, McKenna and Mateychuk weaving in and out with their passing skills.

10 Jul 2026 20:36:02
It’s silly, Knies is better than Marchenko. Not only that, Knies plays in dirty areas. Marchenko, even though he is big, does not, at least not to the extent that Knies does. Don’t get why everyone is trying to trade him. Why do we want all perimeter players? It’s like no one watches playoffs here or has short term memory loss. Last year, Knies was hurt and everyone had a crap year. Year before, Knies was not getting the opportunities Marchenko was because Marner was still here, and Knies never got put out 6 on 5 at the end of games to get a goal and was rarely on PP1.

It takes a group full of guys with passion, heart and drive to do whatever it takes for their team and we keep trading one of the few we have. We were all upset when we lost Hyman because management has no clue. Now we want to get rid of a better/bigger version of Hyman. No one here will ever make sense of trading Knies to me unless it’s a massive overpayment with at least 1 good power forward coming back. Roslovic shouldn’t even be a part of this team, but now we have to clear space because of that dumb pick up.

10 Jul 2026 20:50:37
Clarky. The giist is not Knies for Marchenko, it is Knies for Mateychuk. The rest of the package for Marchenko. And you need to watch more Columbus games. Marchenko is far from a perimeter player. He doesn't avoid the physicality. Our package might not be big enough anyway, as word is Montreal has a crazy package offered to Columbus.

10 Jul 2026 21:01:08
Sure, Suffering, if it makes you feel better. I don’t care if I’m on an island here by myself on this topic. I know I’m right. I’ve watched and played way too much and understand what it takes for teams to have a winning pedigree. I like Marchenko and think he is a good player.

Once we start acquiring more guys like him and move out the Nylanders and Roslovic’s (maybe even Matthews) of the world we will be a much better team. But everyone wants to hold onto him and move out 23 year old Knies. Fans are going to end pushing this guy out too. His name is in every rumour.

10 Jul 2026 21:06:49
So if we want to get a player like Mateychuk. How do we do it them, Clarky? Who do we have to trade with no trade restrictions?

10 Jul 2026 21:51:06
I was waiting for you @Clarky17 😂🤣😂

👊 (my guy)

Love your passion for Knies and for the record, I love Knies too ❤️

Losing Hyman to keep Nylander still grinds my gears to this day.

My thoughts, he’s the only piece we have to speed up the rebuild. Like I posted above, we gotta start from the bottom up and realistically he’s the only piece we have (in my opinion) to speed up that process.



Keeping Knies is Definitely an option but what happens if we lose Matthews 2x years from now 🤔 and we still have no prospects or draft capital 🤔

10 Jul 2026 22:06:02
When it comes to Knies I’m try’n to be as open minded as possible. Let me give you 2x scenarios.

1) Knies has a horrible season and only scores 10-15 goals. Maybe he gets injured or just underperforms. Then we lose out on that trade value the Leafs have today.



2) Knies crushes it!!!! Learns from Paul on the PP (@suffering), plays amazing 5 on 5 and pots 40x goals 🤯. Then we gain more options (via trade or keeping).

What do the Leafs do? The only guarantee at this point is his trade value today. Fact!!!

10 Jul 2026 22:19:25
I put out trade scenarios for Knies because I think he is going to have another down year.
I don’t know why but my spidey senses is tingling and has for several weeks.
😂

10 Jul 2026 22:25:40
If the Leafs are gonna take a calculated risk especially with the CBA expiring in September. I’m gonna max my prospects and draft capital Now!!!!!

10 Jul 2026 22:45:15
I cheated and copied and pasted but this sooooo backs up my argument(s).

@LukeFox and everyone else…..

The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently caught in a tug-of-war over Matthew Knies. Some insiders feel the team is undervaluing his "upside"—believing his ceiling is limited—which has sparked trade rumors. However, his high price tag on the trade market proves the Leafs know he is a rare, young, physical power forward.

The Arguments for Why Knies is Undervalued:

Internal Coaching and Management: Former GM Brad Treliving and now GM John Chayka's new front office have openly listened to trade offers. Analyst Nick Kypreos has suggested Toronto simply doesn't see Knies developing into a true top-tier superstar. Statistical Regression: Despite scoring a career-high 66 points in 79 games, his 5-on-5 on-ice stats dipped and he finished with a team-worst -30 rating, causing some critics to argue his production is simply a product of playing with Auston Matthews.



The Arguments for Why He is Highly Valued, Massive Trade Offers:

The Leafs' asking price has been sky-high—reportedly a top-pair defenseman or a top-10 pick. Toronto even rejected major draft-pick packages for him, like a trade offer for the Chicago Blackhawks' No. 4 overall pick. Rare Asset Type: Knies is a 23-year-old, 6-foot-3, 235-pound player who can score and hit, making him the exact style of player the Leafs need for the grueling playoffs.

The "Other Team" Factor:

Other NHL organizations arguably value Knies more than the Leafs' front office does. One NHL source even mentioned that teams would trade more to acquire Knies than they would for superstar Auston Matthews, given Knies' more affordable cap hit.

10 Jul 2026 23:08:34
I guess the reason I looked at Mateychuk is because he is going to be a very good one and just the other day we were talking about getting Erik Karlsson and I thought why not get a much younger version. Yes we will have to pay. Can anyone remember the last time we had a young offensive fast dynamic d-man? With Knies, if he scores 50 and gets 85 points, but if he is -30 on Five on Five again.

It won't mean a damn thing. He needs to remember Marner is not playing the opposite wing with the wheels to cover defensively like he had for 2 seasons. We might not have missed Marner's point production as much as his defense ability 5 on 5, which was overshadowed by other circumstances. That's why the line combinations will mean so much this year. We need to protect certain players defensively.

10 Jul 2026 23:10:06
Who wrote that King?

10 Jul 2026 23:24:19
Nobody did 😂🤣🤣

I googled: Leafs underestimating Knies and AI talked to me.

Truth is, I remember reading an article a few days ago and I was fishing for it.

10 Jul 2026 23:30:11
If you follow the links, Kip from Sportsnet is leading the charge of overrating Knies.

11 Jul 2026 01:29:50
Lmao Matty!!
I’d love for you guys to name 5 more influential power forwards better than Knies in the game today. I’m sure we can all name 2 or 3 off the bat but you’d have to really contemplate the last few. We have a unicorn, not many players like this in the league anymore. Already great defensively, plays PK, plays PP1, doesn’t back away from contact, he is monster and skates like he is 6’ 180lbs(how many breakaways did he get last few years just from his speed and strength on the puck) more then willing to stick up for teammates, has the capability to put up 30+ Goals, plus he has some soft hands in tight.

Now remember he is only 23, who is going to come in and replace that? Not to mention his passion to play here. If this team wants to change the culture here then start with the three that have been here the longest. We’ve seen what they do in playoffs, we keep trying to surround them with different players every year hoping for a different outcome but it’s always the same. We got out hearted(ya that’s a word).

11 Jul 2026 02:18:26
-30 doesn't scream Great Defensively. I do think he is good in the neutral and offensive zone but when you are 930th out of 940 skaters in a season in that. Sorry... you know I love you buddy. But that is not a Unicorn. He has not yet hit 30 goals has not yet hit a point a game and even a point a game doesn't warrant the Name Unicorn. In my eyes anyway.

On the right line as I said maybe that defensive side could be cleaned up a bit.

I do not dislike him but I was raising my eyebrows a bit during the year when he kept saying he would play through the pain and said so many times. But at the end of the year he said it was blown out of proportion. Possibly but he was the one always talking about it. Yes... he got 66 points. But he could not get back in the play so, so many times and it cost us more. Had he taken some time to rest or rehab it... we could have had Groulx covering and doing well and it would not have cost Knies his spot. It would have meant someone else eventually would have maybe lost theirs. Sometimes being a great teammate is not playing hurt and hurting the team it is realizing you are hurting the team and you need to heal up.



Clarky, I am not fighting with you It is just as King says... we only have one major card to play to either fill a #1 defenseman or a #1a Centreman and that is Knies. Sadly that is just fact and wingers are easier to find than those 2 items. Besides... I am not the one shopping him. Management is and other teams are asking. I was just merely pointing out who I would target. I know you are a pretty passionate long time fan and we all can identify but as my one of my 2 buddies that are player agents tells the kids." Enjoy Junior, Enjoy College and Enjoy your Entry Level Contract. Because after that... this becomes a business." No different for us as fans watching them. We can like and love the players but don't get to attached because they could be moving at any minute to another team. You can still cheer for the player even if they move and hope your team didn't get fleeced and still cheer for your team.

11 Jul 2026 10:47:48
Problem is Suffering, you’re too analytically driven. All you rate people on is stats. There is a big missing piece to you stats people. Personality, character, drive, determination, passion. You can go by those stats all you want with -30, the whole team was not good. All I know is when we are up a goal and need a winger who is going to get the puck out when it’s rimmed around to his side, I’m putting 23 yo Knies out there. Knies is still going to make mistakes for sure but he is just going to get better, why you ask? Because he cares (personality, character).

Willy has been here a decade and I think he has gotten worse defensively (no drive, determination to be a better player for the team). Knies is definitely a unicorn, who else is like him?
Suffering, I am not fighting with you either, it’s just a good debate between an analytically driven person and a realist, lol. I think both sides are needed. You can tell me when someone’s stats are not where they should be and I will stop you from making mistakes like trading Hyman, Kadri, McMann and Knies.

11 Jul 2026 12:08:56
How can you say I am not a realist? Every hockey analyst (guys who had played the game) identified Knies was not as fast last year and they all agreed it was the extra mass he put on. The reality is he had a horrible year defensively. The reality is we need a Centre and we need a fast puck moving defenseman. The reality is to gain either those we will not find on the free agent market or be able to access by RFA offer sheets. The reality is we don’t have a stud at either position in our own system and the reality is our only assets we have to access and fill one of those is to convince Matthew’s (which means we would need another Centre) to waive or Nylander to waive. Those don’t seem to be going to happen. So the reality is Knies is the one asset we have that can bring back a return, make no mistake... they may not trade him this year and he might have a big year but because of his contract being moveable if he has a big year and becomes even more valuable he will still be moved. That is the reality of liquidating encumbered assets in hockey or the real world.

I also am one who admires passion and character and I did not pick Mateychuk just on stats. He has the nickname Captain Serious and he is driven. He opens eyes at every level he okays. At the World Championships this spring he was added as our #7 d-man and by end of tournament was on our top pairing. With Leafs out of playoffs I watched every game Canada played and he was outstanding. If we had a team of contracts that could easily be traded I would keep Knies but I also as a GM would tell the coach to sit him down for rest or any other player if they were hurt enough they were hindering us rather than helping. Anyway... no, I am not a stat based guy. But you might have to get used to stats because with teams going hard into analytics there will be so many new stat categories it will boggle your mind. One day you will see one like GSOTA3BM. Goals Scored On Tuesdays After 3 Bowel Movements.

We both want improvement on the path of the team. I am not your enemy but rest assured I am very much a realist.

11 Jul 2026 12:23:36
What I was saying is if both the Columbus players are RFA next year someone could offer sheet for them knowing we have half a team including Matthews to sign the following year we’d be really tight on accomplishing that if we have to match an overpayment on them.

11 Jul 2026 13:04:28
Hey leafgm. I would do sign and trade first, both. To accomplish, we obviously would need to move Reilly $7.5 m for a prospect or draft pick. Move Roslovic $4 m and Bluegers contract $2.5.

Use LTIR from Domi $3.75 and Knies own contract if $7.75. That’s $25.5 m, more than enough to sign both. Give either Koblar or Holinka the chance at Roslovic spot. Landon Sim takes Bluegers spot.

11 Jul 2026 13:20:51
So before we got totally sidetracked into the long debate lol. My initial post right at the beginning was basically does that package get it done or would we need to add? It was never supposed to go sideways into a Knies debate.

It was all sbout landing that D-man and a comparable winger and would the trade work. Sorry if I contributed to the lengthy debate but one has to stand their ground when called out too.

11 Jul 2026 13:35:43
Suffering, I’m not seeing this as fighting nor arguing, just debating our beliefs. Nothing but love over here. You’re highly intelligent and you know you’re facts, I will give you that for sure. The realist thing was a joke that’s why I put lol after it. Maybe you don’t realize it but you are analytically driven. Anyone someone brings up a player you tell them why they would or not be good here based on stats.

Which is impoartant but it’s not everything. We can argue opinions all day but personally I think it’s a big mistake to move off Knies. Wait until they lose this year and start a rebuild. If they don’t make playoffs or have an early exit again, I don’t see Matthews wanting to stay nor would Willy. That’s when the real fun begins but I guess we need another year of proof that these guys don’t have what it takes.

11 Jul 2026 13:55:43
I would hope I am analytical and realist. Mixed together. We are born with both of this traits. Part of the analytical side of us says “I hear the train coming. I think I can get across those tracks in time. But what is the car stalls and I am stuck”. The realist says “It’s only 5 minutes to wait. I think I will do that.”

With the Leafs, the analytical mind says “We need a true number 1 defenseman.

We won’t have much to work with but maybe we can wait a year and find a way to convince Cale Makar to take lower money to play in our great city.” The realist says “We need to get that player now before salaries rule us out of the market on anyone of that ilk”. I don’t even know if that package gets us those 2 players. Was just getting feedback is all.

11 Jul 2026 14:18:43
I think you’re wasting your time trying to do all that while Matthews, Reilly and Nylander are at the helm.

11 Jul 2026 14:37:12
Thing is, as soon as they say they want out, their value will go down as other teams will lowball the offers knowing they want out. So I did ask earlier. How would you go about landing a player like Mateychuk?

11 Jul 2026 15:33:41
Yeah, trade Knies and look for another Knies for the next 10 years! 😂
Kingmatty LOL 😂
Keep writing jokes!

11 Jul 2026 15:40:02
Get realistic for once guys.

11 Jul 2026 15:57:43
And the circus has arrived 🤡 🎪.

👋 Realistic_gm

11 Jul 2026 16:45:35
Matt stop your embarrassing yourself with every trade you write.! 😂
Like if you agree.!!
Thumbs up top right.!

11 Jul 2026 16:38:55
So realisticgm, your post about the goalie the Leafs got came true. He wasn’t named Bobrovski, it was his cousin Bobrovsky.

11 Jul 2026 16:43:41
I dont think Columbus will part with Mateychuck explicitly becauase of the ominous cloud around Werenski. Would be a dumb decision to trade your top D prospect if your Norris Winner is leaving.

11 Jul 2026 17:08:24
I agree with you, Hrenklin.
I already posted that I don't think Columbus would trade their next in line replacement for Werenski. It just doesn't make sense for them to do.

11 Jul 2026 17:54:56
So again is another topic for next CBA. This one is limiting the 8 year length of term existing team can sign a player to 7 years and limiting the length to new teams to 6 from 7. Next CBA should allow 2 years before end of contract to be able to negotiate free extensions rather that the year before the contract expires.

This woukd stop this crap with guts like Werenski so you either extend them or trade them. Not let them sit in the fence. Similar to Matthew’s right now as well. It won’t help now but it has become another issue that makes doing business for GMs harder.

11 Jul 2026 17:55:20
@Realistic_gm

If someone had something constructive to say, they would, and not hide behind a thumbs up emoji.

This is where adults have healthy conversations and share thoughts and ideas.

GROW UP DUDE!

11 Jul 2026 18:52:56
Bottom line I’m not interested in this trade.

12 Jul 2026 13:08:40
@ Suffering, the answer to your question is, you don’t. This team has thrown away so many prospects and draft picks over the years, you can’t recoup these assets all in a year. It takes time and developing some of these players yourself and stop trading them when they become something.

Otherwise you’re creating a new hole just to fill another. We need to get some assets back, restock some cupboards here and hopefully find our own Mateychuk.

09 Jul 2026 21:54:37
Trying a Dr. Frankenstein fix, lets call it the "DR. Chaykastein" with the intention of shoring up the D and also to rekindle a trading partner with the Flames who use to do some big trades with us.

Lets let the experiment begin...*Loud Thunder*.





To the Flames:

LD) Morgan Rielly =7.5M
RD) Chris Tanev with a $2.3m retention= $2.2M
C/LW) Easton Cowan= 900K
C) Koblar= $1.028M
2027 1st round (via AVS)

To the Leafs:

LD) Kevin Bahl =$5.4 M
LW/RW)Adam Klapka =$1.3 M
RD) Zach Whitecloud =$2.8 M


2nd Trade is with the Flyers:


To Flyers:

O.E.L. $3.5M
Ben Danford.936K
Steve Lorentz $1.350M
2027 2nd round (via Columbus)
2028 4th round pick (via Pitts)

for:

RD)- Ramus Ristolainen =$5.1 M


*New Look

Knies - Matthews - Roslovic
McKenna - Tavares - Nylander
Paul - Sissons - Klapka
Joshua - Blueger- Duhaime

Bahl- Raddysh
Mcabe - Whitecloud
Andrae - Risto
Stecher

Bobo
Stolarz

09 Jul 2026 23:01:45
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

Sorry buddy,

Don’t think the Leafs will do this.

⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

09 Jul 2026 23:12:25
KINGmatty

Haha respect for the thunder bolts.

I know a ton of orchrastion, but really two teams to deal with and I really dig the upgrade on D.

09 Jul 2026 23:27:33
^^ Orchestration is needed

Wow *face slap haha.

09 Jul 2026 23:31:59
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️ (thought U’d like that) 😂🤣

I don’t think the Leafs are interested in giving up on Danford or Cowan unless it’s a stud coming back that they can build around.

For the most part, I think the Leafs are done.

Just my thoughts, could be wrong 🤷‍♂️.

09 Jul 2026 23:34:27
Risto sucks and overpaid. Huge overpay. Rather keep OEL and Danford.

10 Jul 2026 00:05:02
Ckps1976

Imo Risto has found his groove and has actually become a pretty solid RD man.

Let's not forget that I have him placed on the 3rd pairing where he will benifit even more and yet still be able to play a grinding role who could also lig more minutes if needed.



Plus he is on his last year of his contract and I suspect he would take a less cap hit for some term after he plays a year for us.

10 Jul 2026 00:18:54
KINGmatty-
Bahl has a very low cap hit of 5.3 mil and is in his 2 of 6 years signed. 26 years old, 6'6. 229 lbs and played 1st line minutes for the Flames.
I just see him as a fit with the Rad.

Whitecloud - a true RD that shoots right and 6'2 210lbs youngish (29) but plays a smart rugged game logging an average of 22 minutes of ice time.



I feel we are gaining two and not just one (which would be good) but this way we don't lose Knies either ;)

10 Jul 2026 00:52:58
Cowan, Koblar and Danford and our only 1st round pick. But hey who needs good young prospects. Not us apparently.

10 Jul 2026 01:05:20
Sufferingsince1967 - For me this is a great D core.

I feel one of the best with youth that can be mainstays.

Yes I gave up Youth, but I traded youth for truth shoring up the D with not a core but a solid 3 pairs that can stay and maintain.

Also keep in mind Chayka signed 2 year contracts and in 2 years things can change... but with this D I don't feel like it would be any type of drastic change with the D but they will also be valuable in a trade scenario too if needed.



If the youth I traded without trading Knies makes our team better defensivly,... I'm all in.

Let opur new drafter choose more young guns while this team keeps a very competitive run.

Let's not suffer no more basically lol.

10 Jul 2026 01:27:27
Why would you retain salary on Tanev?

10 Jul 2026 01:37:12
To get a deal done. Shorter term than retaining Morgan but I felt it looked like a solid offer that Calgary might take and then we expand our D core fitfully.

10 Jul 2026 01:47:29
Thing is, if Tanev is healthy we have a true heart and soul guy that makes others around him play with more heart.

Sadly, if he is not healthy and can’t play or gets hurt again, it’s more advantageous to have him on LTIR for us than to retain that salary if he gets hurt in Calgary and goes on LTIR.

10 Jul 2026 02:13:44
How do figure it’s shorter term than Reilly’s?

10 Jul 2026 03:02:26
67 - I guess the terms of both are the same.
If Tanev becomes a better option for them on the LTIR at his cap hit, then maybe use the same retention I was giving initially for Tanev on Rielly instead.

Whatever it takes to get it done given that circumstance, I am still all for getting the deal done.



DR. Chaykastein has already toyed with the whole kubbuttle from management down to make it freshy fresh, so with this proposal (even revised) would make our Leafs stronger for this 2 year window and further.

Good eye 67.

10 Jul 2026 03:27:14
You guess they are the same! Lol They are the same. P.S. no retention in Reilly either. Even if we said we would retain $2.5. That is still 2.4% of this year's cap then 2.2, 2.0, 1.8 based on cap going up $10m a year. We saw how teams are struggling to find room to sign or trade for players by having to move bodies and contracts.

Nothing worse than having a retained salary hampering that cap space. I am pretty certain Buffalo would have loved to had had the 6% of their total salary cap not being paid to Jeff Skinner and in their pockets this year.

10 Jul 2026 04:21:23
67- Pretty much addmitted the mistake by saying I guess, but if you want to be particular, oh well.

How bout being particular then by me suggesting that you would rather keep Tanev and Rielly instead of this deal with a retainment.

You are betting the old horses in the long run will be better for the team.

Can't say I agree with your reasoning even though you feel that it weighs the team down heavy when these trades makes the team stronger, younger on the D, bigger and more mobile with grit.

And,... Buck Fuffalo! Who is talking Buffalo, even as an example of what happened to them.



They are not the Leafs but if you feel last years D-core was good, "''go buck a fuffalo in your own jack yard" ( pssst sorry, couldn't resist the saying, lol)



Plus a 6'8 Klapka 236 lbs as a mobile skater on a right wing who shoots right and has a scoring touch and a huge physical presence seems to be avoided in the deal.

Yes we give up some youth, pretty good youth and picks, but gain Men who are really starting to be in their prime and play positional well and dependable right now.

10 Jul 2026 11:41:46
I did not say to keep them, I said to not retain any portion of a salary for 4 years. It has nothing to do with Buffalo specifically. Any team that retains anything these days is shooting them selves in the foot. As far as giving up some youth, 3 good prospects and 1st round pick is not just some that us a lot.

Say as Chayka reshapes the team as he dumps these 2 year contracts and we enter the 3rd year when the youth we give up is blossoming for other teams we will have Whitecloud turning 32 and Risto turning 34 and people wondering why did we not keep Danford and why can’t we develop our own young forwards.

Anyway we will agree to disagree on this one.

10 Jul 2026 12:41:32
So in your own words you’re getting a “pretty solid, third pairing D” and giving up OEL and Danford. Ummm, No.

10 Jul 2026 21:54:23
Ckps1976 ^^^ Show me where I said that quote.

Nice rewording attempt.

I said we are getting a great D core.

Ummm yes.

11 Jul 2026 15:38:21
King Marty or whatever your name is, you keep saying everyone’s trades are no good but look at yours buddy.?! 😂