Leafs Chayka On Rielly, Knies; Rumors On Carlo

Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka and new head coach Jim Hiller met with the media on Thursday, in advance of the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday, and touched on several subjects. Most notably on the agenda were the status of the two most rumored names in trade speculation over the last few weeks: defenseman Morgan Rielly and winger Matthew Knies.

Rielly, who reportedly, through agent JP Barry, had submitted a four-team Western Conference list, indicated that he is trying to find a good fit for the 32-year-old blueliner, but also struck a tone that he is not anxious to move the veteran unless the Leafs get a good return. 

“I don’t think (I anticipate a trade occurring), as we stand here,” Chayka said. “Those are conversations we continue to have.”

This could mean that Chayka is not happy with the offers being made for Rielly, but Hiller indicated that he spoke to him and that he is looking forward to coaching him again. Whether this is just public posturing or a recognition that it would be bad business to move out a still effective NHL defenseman simply for the sake of moving him out is yet to be determined. 

Chayka also seemed to pour cold water on the increasing chatter regarding Knies, who has five years left on a six-year deal at a $7.75 million AAV.  

“Matthew is an elite power forward in the prime of his career at a number that we think allows us to build a great team around him. That all sounds pretty good to me,” Chayka said. “Ultimately, my job is to try to make the team better. But all the things I just said make that incredibly difficult to do so.”

This remains consistent with the growing suspicion throughout the league in recent days that the Leafs are not looking to move Knies unless they get bowled over by another club in a trade. Chayka indicated that he has an interest in adding another top 10 pick to add another young prospect to Toronto’s talent pool, and explored deals to facilitate that goal. It does not rule out the possibility of that occurring; the only logical avenue to do that would be as part of a package for Knies, who lacks any trade protection. 

One further trade possibility is defenseman Brandon Carlo, who is entering the final year of his contract at $3.485 million. The 29-year-old righty was sought after last summer and attracted interest from the Buffalo Sabres, as part of the Sabres interest in dealing RFA winger JJ Peterka before they dealt him to Utah for Michael Kesselring. 

Following the trade of Bowen Byram earlier in the week, the Sabres are looking to acquire some defensive help, and according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the clubs have discussed the veteran blueliner. Buffalo does not appear willing to give up the #4 overall pick they acquired from Chicago, unless they can hit a homerun like trading for Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski, but might be willing to trade some draft capital to shore up their top-four D on a short-term basis until 2025 top pick Radim Mrtka matures.