Trade Deadline Thoughts: Could Leafs be persuaded to move Matthew Knies?

Quickie blog with the NHL’s trade deadline less than 24 hours away:

• Toronto is all about adding assets. Young players, prospects, picks. You name it, they want to hear about it. There aren’t a ton in the system, so they want to accumulate. Then, they can start figuring out their future — maybe use what they get to chase bigger fish. 

The chances of Auston Matthews getting traded now are equal to John Blutarsky’s grade-point average. William Nylander and John Tavares aren’t going anywhere. I heard some Matthew Knies, and that, to me, is the Maple Leafs seeing if there’s a massive offer they can’t turn down. That is the only way I see it happening. 

• If not a first for Bobby McMann (and contenders are running out of them to trade), then Toronto would consider two seconds, which is what Vancouver got for Kiefer Sherwood.

• Prior to trading for Nicolas Roy, Colorado and Calgary did discuss Nazem Kadri. I have to assume the same picks Toronto received (a first and a fifth) were available, and there was an understanding of some level of retention. Never got over the finish line. 

• Kadri has stuck to his no-trade list, so far. 

• One of Thursday's bigger stories was Colton Parayko declining to waive his no-trade for Buffalo. That’s his right. Blues GM Doug Armstrong spoke to his leadership group; told them he’s trying to make changes. He let them know they might be asked, so they’d be mentally prepared. It’s hard to know exactly — there are always semantics — but I do not believe Parayko’s trade is the only one that has been vetoed. That, or players have indicated there are certain teams they will not go to. But the Blues have not given up, and continue to work at things — including Jordan Binnington, Justin Faulk and Jordan Kyrou. 

• I believed Utah was the best match for Robert Thomas, but so far they have balked at the ask. It’s poker. Detroit is believed to be in there, too. 

• Detroit was also involved in conversations about Vincent Trocheck, as is Carolina. (There are always teams I don’t see coming.)

• I am not expecting the Mammoth to trade Nick Schmaltz. I’ve heard there’s been positive movement in contract negotiations, and chances are dropping he reaches free agency. 

• New Jersey made all defencemen available besides Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce. Simon Nemec switched agents, always a bad sign for an incumbent. That’s one reason he’s out there.

• Quiet on Elias Pettersson. Interest in Teddy Blueger. Not a coincidence Jesperi Kotkaniemi was back in the Carolina lineup on Wednesday night, but not convinced the Canucks will do it. (This would not be a Pettersson deal.)

• Ryan O’Reilly continues to express his desire to stay in Nashville. (He has a verbal no move.) As of earlier Thursday, it was quiet around Steven Stamkos — although I am terrified of absolute proclamations around this time. I do believe there are serious efforts to find Jonathan Marchessault a new home.

• Vegas is always a stealth team, but another one could be Anaheim. Ducks are interested in wingers, for sure.

• Seattle has interest in Florida’s Mackie Samoskevich. Good young player, but Panthers will make them pay a high price. Shane Wright wouldn’t move in that trade, but they continue to discuss him for either an elite scorer or a younger talent that needs a change. (Just me, but does Wright for Kent Johnson make any sense? Would reunite Johnson with college buddy Matt Beniers.)

• Other names to keep an eye on: Oliver Bjorkstrand (TB), Michael Carcone (Utah), Paul Cotter (New Jersey), Stephen Halliday (Ottawa), Patrik Laine (Montreal), Maxim Shabanov (NYI), Luke Schenn (WPG).