{"id":753672,"date":"2026-06-22T13:57:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T13:57:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/753672\/"},"modified":"2026-06-22T13:57:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T13:57:15","slug":"maple-leafs-and-sabres-blockbuster-trade-theory-has-legs-the-hockey-writers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/753672\/","title":{"rendered":"Maple Leafs and Sabres Blockbuster Trade Theory Has Legs – The Hockey Writers –"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Maple Leafs have been looking at the possibility of a Matthew Knies<\/a> trade since at least the 2026 trade deadline. There was a reported deal to the Montreal Canadiens that didn\u2019t get across the finish line by 3:00 p.m., and with new management in place under John Chayka, reports are that he\u2019s still open to listening to offers, even if he\u2019s not shopping the winger. <\/p>\n

Nick Kypreos recently argued<\/a> that the return for Knies would be a top-pairing defenseman, a first-rounder and a secondary player. That return might be high, but the truth is, Toronto will get a haul for a forward who hasn\u2019t hit his peak, he\u2019s on a long-term team-friendly deal, and holds no trade protection. <\/p>\n

Entering the conversation from stage left is Bowen Byram<\/a>. <\/p>\n

That Makes the Buffalo Sabres an Interesting Option<\/p>\n

TSN\u2019s Darren Dreger<\/a> is one of many insiders reporting that Byram has drawn interest from \u201cmultiple teams,\u201d and noted that the defenseman\u2019s agent Darren Ferris \u201chas some history with marching players to the open market\u201d. The Sabres don\u2019t want Byram to walk as a UFA, so if they can\u2019t get an extension done, he could be traded.<\/p>\n

Byram would give Toronto a left-shot puck-mover on defense they haven\u2019t had since Morgan Rielly<\/a>\u2018s prime years, and Byram\u2019s offensive skills are even higher. He wants an opportunity to be a top guy, and that would exist in Toronto, where he could slot in on the top pair with newly acquired right-shot defenseman Darren Raddysh. <\/p>\n

For the Sabres, the trade is worth it. Knies would give the Sabres a player who could very well replace Alex Tuch, it wouldn\u2019t be much more than a one-for-one swap and they have Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson still on the roster. Buffalo isn\u2019t hurting on their blue line. <\/p>\n

Knies fits the profile perfectly as a top-six winger who can play alongside Tage Thompson. Byram slots in for Toronto seamlessly, giving them the chance to move Rielly and Brandon Carlo to fill holes elsewhere. <\/p>\n

The Complications<\/p>\n

The biggest wrinkle is the cost for Byram after this current contract expires. The Maple Leafs will want to know that he\u2019s open to signing an extension and what that number might look like. Rumors are that he\u2019s looking for $10 or $11 million on an extension, assuming he can prove he\u2019s a top guy. Are the Leafs comfortable paying that? Moreover, are they willing to gamble trading a top winger with tremendous upside on the hope Byram will stay?<\/p>\n

\"MatthewMatthew Knies, Toronto Maple Leafs (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

So too, deals with divisional rivals always come with an element of risk. Perhaps this is seen as a win\/win trade for both teams, but no one wants to give the other a key advantage. <\/p>\n

Finally, what if Knies is everything the Leafs hope he\u2019ll be and more? Is trading him the right idea? Or, is this deal with the Sabers the best one?<\/p>\n

The Maple Leafs Do Have Options<\/p>\n

Buffalo isn\u2019t the only team that has interest. The Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks have also emerged as two of the many teams that are reportedly inquiring about how serious the Maple Leafs are. Chicago holds the No. 4 overall pick in 2026, and maybe the Leafs would rather get two young difference-makers in the draft than add to a blue line group they just added two pieces to.<\/p>\n

This is a genuinely fascinating hockey trade to debate because both players are 23-25, both are on very reasonable contracts, and both fill a real need for the other team. If Byram signals he\u2019d sign long-term in Toronto, maybe this gets done. If he wants to test the market, the Leafs may think twice about giving up Knies for a one-year rental.<\/p>\n

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