Maple Leafs GM John Chayka says he's going to evaluate everything when it comes to trade speculation, but says it's 'not probable' when it comes to trading a young, core player such as Matthew Knies.
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Maple Leafs GM John Chayka states ‘it’s not probable’ to trade Matthew Knies
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2026, 15:25 EDTUpdated: Jun 19, 2026, 15:24 EDT
Matthew Knies’ future with the Toronto Maple Leafs appears to be secure, ahead of a summer full of changes.
Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka met with reporters Friday afternoon, after acquiring Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Toronto signed Raddysh to an eight-year extension, reportedly worth $8.5 million per season.
Chayka has been exceptionally busy this week, and there’s been plenty of speculation surrounding Knies. Knies is under contract with the Maple Leafs through the 2030-31 season and is adamant about wanting to remain with the organization, but he was subject to plenty of trade speculation. Toronto almost dealt Matthew Knies to the Montreal Canadiens in a package that did not involve Montreal’s top prospects, but it was not completed ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline.
It appears that Chayka has no interest in extending Brad Treliving’s philosophy to the 2026-27 Leafs.
“On any type of trade speculation, I think I was pretty direct on Matthew Knies in my opening press conference,” Chayka said Friday. “The statement still stands. In my job as GM, we will evaluate everything, but that is the job. Again, the idea that we are going to improve the roster by moving a top young player, I mean, anything is possible, but I guess it is not probable. I think it makes for good writing and interest for people, but as we think about our team and how we can improve, that is a tough bar to hurdle.”
Chayka previously endorsed Knies as a key tenet of the organization during his introductory press conference on May 4. And while Chayka will have to navigate two timelines, where there is a clear need to win-now, while the franchise ushers in a new wave of young talent, the Maple Leafs are certainly going to be more decisive under his watch, than they were with Treliving.
“In terms of urgency, I have a burning desire to win and an urgency to get better. We are not in a rush. We will not do anything that we don’t think is judicious or well thought out. But we also know that being decisive can be an advantage, too. If there is an opportunity to improve the group, I am not going to sit around and wait for something perhaps better.”
It’s silly season, but Leafs Nation can put to rest the idea that Knies is going somewhere soon.
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