The New York Rangers will no doubt be looking to make a splash this offseason. Holding the third-overall pick for now offers an encouraging path forward. It sounds good, though it might not be enough to turn things around.
That's why the organization will need to do much more than just draft a can’t-miss prospect with that pick. At least, the organization will need to do much more if they want to turn things around quickly.
That said, the idea of trading for a big-ticket player like Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is something the Rangers should avoid. Yes, the link between Matthews and coach Mike Sullivan is clear. There’s also a good relationship between Matthews and J.T. Miller. And yes, Matthews would be a good addition to the Rangers’ lineup.
But the fact is that the Blueshirts should just forget about Matthews and focus on another Maple Leafs player. Unlike Matthews, this forward has actually been the subject of trade speculation.
That player is Matthew Knies.
Knies was reportedly part of a blockbuster trade between the Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens at the trade deadline. According to the chatter, other clubs were looking into Knies.
The 23-year-old has turned into a solid power forward. This season, he scored 23 goals and 68 points in 79 games on a dreadful Leafs team. It’s also worth mentioning he gritted through much of the season with a lower-body injury. Imagine what he could do if fully healthy.
That said, Knies oozes size, skill, and speed. At 6’3” and 232 pounds, he’s a tough forward to play against. He’s a tough checker, though he’s not necessarily a “physical” forward. He’s the sort of player who pounds the opposition with his size, winning puck battles, and finding open space to score.
It’s easy to envision Knies playing with Vincent Trocheck (assuming he sticks around), giving Knies the sort of playmaker he needs to create scoring chances for him. In that case, Knies could become a 30-goal scorer for the first time in his career.
Kines won’t come cheap for Rangers
As for landing Knies, he won’t come cheap for the Rangers. The chatter suggested that the Maple Leafs were looking for roughly three first-round picks for Knies. That’s a steep price to pay.
Moreover, the rebuilding Maple Leafs would be looking for prospects who could step in virtually right away. That may involve players like Gabe Perreault, perhaps Braden Schneider, or someone a little further away like Liam Greentree.
The Rangers’ first-rounder in the 2026 NHL Draft may also come into the picture. In that case, would Knies be worth it? Landing Knies on his own, yes. He’s the sort of player that could impact the Rangers’ lineup immediately.
But in the long-term view of the Rangers’ plans, giving up several prospects may not be the best way to go. If the Leafs were willing to take draft picks instead of prospects, the deal might make a lot more sense.
While there’s no inkling that the Rangers are actively looking at Knies, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear his name linked to the Blueshirts at some point this summer.
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