If there is one thing NHL general managers are constantly searching for, it’s the perfect top-six power forward. And according to the latest rumblings, the New Jersey Devils have zeroed in on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Prior to the March 6 NHL trade deadline, 23-year-old winger Matthew Knies found his name heavily circulating in trade speculation. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Devils were firmly among a handful of suitors expressing “serious interest” in the young Maple Leafs standout. But pry a foundational piece like Knies out of Toronto, and the cost is going to be astronomical.
James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now recently explored exactly what it might take for the Devils to land the dynamic forward. The asking price? Top prospect defenseman Simon Nemec. For New Jersey, parting with a 22-year-old blueliner who possesses a top-two ceiling is a massive pill to swallow. Yet, to secure a player like Knies, who projects as the ultimate complementary winger for superstar center Jack Hughes, the Devils might just have to pull the trigger. If you’re Toronto, Nemec is the exact type of return required to even pick up the phone.
Why Matthew Knies Fits Perfectly With the New Jersey Devils
When you look at the Devils’ current roster construction, the vision is clear. They have world-class speed, elite playmaking, and highlight-reel skill courtesy of Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. What they occasionally lack is the heavy, forechecking presence of a modern power forward who can retrieve pucks, win board battles, and create space for their stars to operate.
Matthew Knies is exactly that player. At 6-foot-3 and over 215 pounds, Knies has already proven he can handle the physical rigors of the NHL while possessing the soft hands to finish plays in tight. Sticking him on the left wing of Jack Hughes would create a dynamic duo reminiscent of some of the best finesse/power pairings in league history.
The Cost of Doing Business: Giving Up Simon Nemec
However, Toronto isn’t going to give away a cost-controlled, 23-year-old power forward for spare parts. The Maple Leafs have a perennial need for high-end, right-shot defensemen. Simon Nemec, selected second overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, fits the Leafs’ timeline and positional needs perfectly. He has the elite hockey IQ, puck-moving ability, and defensive upside to anchor a top-pairing for the next decade.
In my years analyzing the NHL, 1-for-1 “hockey trades” involving top-tier prospects are rare but incredibly fascinating. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, moving Knies creates a hole in their top six, but acquiring a potential franchise defenseman like Nemec instantly elevates their blueline depth chart to a championship level. For the Devils, moving a top-two defensive asset is risky, but you have to give value to get value.
Matthew Knies Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 231 | 64 | 89 | 153 | 0 |
| Playoffs | 27 | 8 | 6 | 14 | -2 |
Find the Latest Toronto Maple Leafs News, Pools & TV Schedules
Are you looking for the most up-to-date Toronto Maple Leafs news? Make sure to bookmark nhltraderumor.com for daily updates on your favorite team! You can also join our NHL Playoff Hockey Pool for a chance to win amazing cash prizes. Wondering how to watch the Leafs game on TV today? We have complete broadcast schedules and streaming guides available directly on our website. Stay in the loop with all the breaking news and insider reports by signing up for our newsletter below.
The post Toronto Maple Leafs & New Jersey Devils Trade Rumors: Matthew Knies appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
