The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to have a very busy offseason. Team officials recently fired their former general manager, Brad Treliving, after a disastrous 2025-26 season. As a result, Toronto needs to have a new GM in place soon to help guide the ship this summer.
NHL insider Elliott Friedman revealed on April 24 that the GM search is likely down to two candidates: John Chayka and Scott White. Friedman believes that Chayka is leading the race at the moment. Nevertheless, he does not expect the Maple Leafs to make an official decision by the end of the week.
Whoever Toronto ultimately chooses will have some major decisions to make in the coming months. The biggest piece of business for the club is determining the futures of the star trio Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Matthew Knies. All three have been linked with potential moves away from the Maple Leafs this summer.
Matthews recently claimed that he “can’t predict” his future. Nylander admitted that he wanted to stick around, but only if Toronto avoids a full rebuild. Knies, on the other hand, proclaimed that he definitely wants to remain with the Maple Leafs. Despite this, Knies appears to be the most likely to be dealt. Bleacher Report’s Adam Gretz believes that the winger’s future in Toronto could essentially depend on where Toronto picks in the 2026 NHL draft.
Toronto Maple Leafs May Trade Matthew Knies if They Win Draft Lottery
GettyMatthew Knies posted career-high numbers with the Maple Leafs in 2025-26.
Due to a previous trade with the Boston Bruins, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have to forfeit their upcoming first-round selection if they are to pick outside of the top five. Toronto currently has a 42% chance of picking inside the top five, thus keeping the selection. Their best odds, however, are to pick sixth overall (44%) this summer.
According to Gretz, if the Maple Leafs manage to land the first overall selection, it could mean Knies’ time is up in Toronto. “If they did get the top pick (they have an 8.5 percent chance), it could open the door to a move for forward Matthew Knies for a haul of picks or young assets,” claims the reporter.
In this scenario, the Maple Leafs would almost certainly select Gavin McKenna with the top pick. Widely considered the best prospect in the upcoming draft, the forward racked up 51 points in 35 games with Penn State during the 2025-26 campaign. McKenna also grabbed 14 points in seven games internationally with Canada’s U20 team.
Toronto Would Receive Solid Package for Knies
The Toronto Maple Leafs would likely only deal Knies if they are blown away by an offer. Toronto desperately needs to improve its prospect pool, and trading the star winger would certainly help. Knies previously signed a very manageable $7.75 million AAV extension to remain in Toronto until 2031. As a result, he is one of the team’s top trade chips.
If Knies becomes available, the Chicago Blackhawks will almost certainly be among several teams to register interest in the star. Chicago has been linked with Knies before and has to give superstar center Connor Bedard some help. Bedard recently recorded a career-high 75 points in 2025-26, but the Blackhawks risk wasting the star’s best years with subpar rosters. The NHL’s draft lottery is scheduled for May 5.
Maple Leafs Star’s Future May Hinge on Team’s Draft Pick