Matthew Knies trade price revealed after Canadiens explored deal with Maple Leafs

Kent Hughes nearly landed Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies at the trade deadline, but the price Toronto demanded from the Canadiens was extremely high.

The price required to pull such a piece out of Toronto would have been particularly steep for the organization.

Rumors suggest that Kaiden Guhle and prospect Michael Hage were at the center of discussions between the two rivals.

Guhle is a pillar of Martin St-Louis’ defensive corps, averaging 21 minutes of ice time per night. His departure would leave a massive hole on the blue line, despite the current depth among young left-shot defenders.

Meanwhile, Michael Hage is enjoying an exceptional season in the NCAA with 45 points for Michigan. Sacrificing that kind of offensive potential at center is a decision that requires serious reflection from management.

A strategic decision for the Canadiens’ future

Acquiring a player of Knies’ caliber would help stabilize Montreal’s top six for several seasons. His contract, worth $7.75 million per year through 2031, also offers strong salary-cap predictability for the future.

The Canadiens currently hold a 6-1-3 record over their last ten games and are still searching for their offensive identity. Kent Hughes appears willing to make moves, but he refuses to compromise the foundation of his rebuild for a single player.

Let’s be honest, a trade between the Canadiens and the Leafs remains an extremely rare event in modern hockey history. However, the two sides could resume discussions this summer once the pressure of the regular season has eased.