Matthew Knies, a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs, nearly joined the Montreal Canadiens in a trade that fell through by just one minute. Reports from various sources, including insider Elliotte Friedman, indicate that a trade was proposed to send Knies to the Canadiens in exchange for a prospect, Alexander Zharovsky, another prospect, and two first-round draft picks.
The Trade Deadline Incident
The proposed trade was submitted at 3:01 PM on March 7, 2026, one minute after the official trade deadline. Maple Leafs representatives reportedly arrived late to finalize the deal, resulting in its failure.
Details of the Trade
- Player Involved: Matthew Knies
- Receiving Team: Montreal Canadiens
- Compensation: Alexander Zharovsky, another prospect, and two first-round picks
- Trade Submission Time: 3:01 PM
- Deadline Date: March 7, 2026
Friedman confirmed the details initially reported by David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period. The identity of the second prospect is still unclear; it has been clarified that it is neither Michael Hage nor David Reinbacher.
Future Implications
With Brad Treliving’s departure as General Manager, and John Chayka stepping in, revisiting this trade may be unlikely. Canadiens’ General Manager Kent Hughes had hinted at being close to completing another substantial trade just before the deadline, although further details were not disclosed.
Player Performances
Last season, Matthew Knies achieved a personal best of 66 points, including 23 goals, over 79 games. Despite his offensive contributions, he also posted a team-worst plus-minus rating of -30. Knies is currently in the second year of a six-year contract valued at an average of $7.75 million per season.
On the other hand, Alexander Zharovsky was selected 34th overall in the 2025 draft. He claimed the Rookie of the Year title in the KHL, having scored 42 points in 59 games with Salavat Yulayev Ufa.
