Matthew Knies is a huge part of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ core, and don’t expect to see that change anytime soon. 23-year-old power forwards loaded with untapped potential don’t grow on trees; it’s time to put the trade rumours to bed.

All of the noise started when it was leaked that former general manager Brad Treliving was one minute too late trading Knies ahead of last season’s trade deadline. The shocking report surfaced that Treliving and Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes had agreed on a last-minute deadline-deal, which thankfully, was all for not after they weren’t able to get it processed in time. Treliving was selling Knies to the rival Canadiens, for a trade package full of future considerations. It would have been a towel-throwing moment that could have very easily resulted in captain Auston Matthews notifying now-GM John Chayka, that he’s not interested in hanging around for two more years through a re-tool, or a rebuild, for that matter. And we wonder why Treliving was let go?

Again, Treliving wanted to move Knies, not Chayka, so why have the trade rumours continued? No clue, to be honest. Yes, if Zach Werenski is available, that’s a unicorn-type of defenceman, a player that is an absolute gamechanger from the backend, and if the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Norris trophy winner was available, and willing to come to Toronto, and even potentially sign a contract extension, moving Knies gets considered. But that’s not on the table at all anymore, and neither should be moving Knies.

Chayka has given no indication that Knies’ name was out there in trade talks, in fact, he’s done the opposite and thrown water on the speculation, time and time again. Meanwhile, the noise comes and goes, whoever the flavour of the week is on the trade market always seems to get linked to the Maple Leafs, and if they’re linked to Toronto, it seems the cop out is that Knies would be the player heading back to the other way.

Chayka is a big fan of Knies’ game, and he should be. The Leafs don’t have a player like him in the organization, and not many teams around the league do either. Knies is a 6-foot-3 physical force, who can continue to round out his aggressiveness hounding pucks, his finishing ability around the net, his penalty-killing prowess, and his attention 200-foot details. Pay closer attention to the little things with Knies’ game next season, especially on the defensive side of the puck. His retrieval skills are some of the best in the league and his ability to close gaps, win 50-50 pucks, and be hard on the forecheck will be something head coach Jim Hiller will love about the left-winger’s game. Hiller’s a defensive-minded bench boss and don’t be surprised if Knies quickly becomes one of his favourite forwards.

Last season was an up and down year, which certainly had something to do with former head coach Craig Berube’s lineup tinkering. Berube was all over the place throughout the season, moving forwards around and not leaning in to pre-established chemistry. Yes, the facilitator was gone on the top line, but that doesn’t mean for a second that Auston Matthews and Knies shouldn’t be playing together each and every shift. They’ve built legitimate chemistry over the course of the last three-plus seasons playing together, training together in the offseason, and their skillsets complement each other so well, it was a natural fit thanks to very similar playing styles. With Gavin McKenna on route for training camp, a Mitch Marner-type of visionary, this trio could easily propel into one of the more dominant top lines in hockey. But instead, let’s go ahead and trade our 23-year-old power forward, who is signed for five more seasons at $7.75 million AAV in a growing salary cap world?

Knies’ contract was one of Treliving’s better moves as Leafs’ GM, it may actually turn out to be his best work. Knies is locked up at a very reasonable cap hit, loaded with potential, and about to enter the absolute prime of his career. The former second-round pick has posted back-to-back ‘career’ seasons, and with Matthews hitting the reset button after a season-ending injury, and with McKenna ready to show off his legendary vision and ability to slow down the game with his puck skills, Knies could very easily set another career high in points. With 66 points in 79 games last season, Knies has 85-point potential, and for $7.7 million against the cap, that’s the type of return on investment championship teams are made from.

Enough is enough, it’s time to quiet the noise. Knies is a major cornerstone of the Maple Leafs’ organization, and should Matthews sadly depart after his contract expires, Knies has the intangibles on and off the ice to be in the running as the next captain in Toronto.

The trade rumours need to stop, Knies isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.