Rumors Restart Around Matthew Knies as Canadiens Weigh Draft-Day Options

As the NHL draft nears, Matthew Knies is still being discussed as an available option, and the Montreal Canadiens are among the teams that could, at least in theory, circle back. The new round of speculation matters because it suggests the Canadiens may be monitoring more than just draft picks, looking for a combination of immediate roster impact and controllable upside before July decisions tighten the market.

The current talk is tied to reporting that Knies’ name has been “making the rounds” around the league ahead of the draft. Yahoo Sports cites BPM Sports and RG’s Marco D’Amico in connection with the idea that Knies remains an acquisition that should not be dismissed too quickly for Montreal. The framing is important, because it positions Knies not as a passed-over rumor, but as a player still viewed as potentially obtainable depending on how other negotiations play out.

Montreal’s interest, at least as described in the discussion, traces back to trade-deadline chatter in which Knies was heavily linked to what was described as a “mysterious acquisition” that ultimately fell through for the Canadiens. While the details of that failed effort are not clarified in the available reporting, the mention provides context for why the Knicks-to-Montreal thread persists: the idea did not disappear, it only paused.

Knies’ profile within that conversation is as a Toronto forward, specifically described as a winger, which helps explain why his availability would attract teams looking to add speed, scoring threats, or middle-of-the-lineup stability. For Montreal, the timing also fits the way NHL roster-building often works, with draft weekend and the immediate period after serving as a bridge between offseason planning and the next wave of trade conversations.

Still, this is not confirmation of a deal, and a rumor is not a roster move. What can be said from the reporting is narrower: Knies is continuing to be referenced as an option, and Montreal is continuing to be referenced as a possible destination. Whether that translates into actual talks, and whether any talks become a trade that satisfies both teams, will depend on factors that are not fully spelled out here, including broader market activity and what each organization values most at this point in the summer.

For Canadiens fans, the practical watch items start with how the team approaches the draft itself and the immediate window afterward. If Montreal keeps engaging the league’s trade ecosystem rather than treating the draft as the only tool, Knies could remain one of the names that front-office staff are compared against in the ongoing rumor cycle. For Toronto, the same chatter underscores that even as the draft approaches, Maple Leafs roster planning could still be influenced by what other teams are willing to offer.