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Should Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Matthew Knies Or Start Him Game 1?

By Stephen Nixon

WORCESTER, MA - MARCH 25: Matthew Knies #89 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers skates against the Massachusetts Minutemen during the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Northeast Regional game at the DCU Center on March 25, 2022 in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Golden Gophers won 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
WORCESTER, MA - MARCH 25: Matthew Knies #89 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers skates against the Massachusetts Minutemen during the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Northeast Regional game at the DCU Center on March 25, 2022 in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Golden Gophers won 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs made a big trade acquiring Ryan O’Reilly last week but it still hasn’t answered the Matthew Knies question.

Matthew Knies is a Hobey Baker Award Finalist and has clearly emerged as the Toronto Maple Leafs No. 1 prospect.

As the team’s best prospect, there have been plenty of rumors surrounding him this season. Should the team trade him and mortgage his future for an established superstar, or should they bring him in for the playoffs for free?

Playing your first career NHL game in the playoffs is a lot to ask of a 20-year-old, but he could be a difference-maker, especially when it costs zero dollars against the salary cap.

However, at the same time, if you trade him, it could help the Leafs acquire someone like Timo Meier, Patrick Kane or Jakob Chychrun. Toronto already got away without moving him in the acquisition of Ryan O’Reilly, so by trading Knies, it could really help their chances of grabbing one of those players I just mentioned.

Toronto Maple Leafs Have Tough Decision to Make in Knies

Knies has 20 goals and 36 points in 32 games this year and has showcased his skill and size at an elite level. It’s clear that once this NCAA season is over, he’ll be ready for the NHL.

However, what gives the Leafs the best chances at winning a Stanley Cup this year? As much as I’d love to look at the next five years, Toronto should only be looking at this campaign because you never know what’s going to happen next year.

The Leafs are currrently very healthy and now that they’ve acquired O’Reilly, they’re all-in on this season. So, does Knies help them win a Stanley Cup this year or would trading the asset give them a better chance?

Well, it all depends on who they get in-return and what they have to give up on-top of Knies.

If the team can trade Knies, more prospects and picks, without really giving him a core roster player and they receive someone like Meier, I think you have to make the trade. Even though you’re risking one season of Meier for three years of Knies on an Entry Level Contract, we know that Meier can make a difference.

A player of his skill will 100 percent perform in the playoffs and won’t be scared. As for Knies, as much as he’s talented and will probably be a good NHLer, we haven’t seen him at that level yet so we don’t know how he’ll do.

As much as I’d love someone like Meier, I still think it’s better to hold onto the asset of Knies, instead of trading him right now. His ceiling is way too high and the fact that he’s on an Entry Level Contract right now, makes him so valuable.

I know that someone like Meier would perform, but I truly think Knies could score and be a contributor if paired beside John Tavares and Mitch Marner, so I don’t think you need to give up this asset this year. Also, the fact that the team acquired O’Reilly without giving up Knies gives me hope that they can still add to the roster without having to give up their No. 1 prospect.

As much I want this team to go all-in, I still think they can be “all-in” with keeping Knies.

dark. Next. 5 Former Leafs Who Could Return

The Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t done making moves, but I hope they keep Knies because his skillset will really help the team’s top-six when the playoffs start.

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