NHL Rumours: Knies to Sabres, McTavish to Senators & Robertson Clarity

In today’s NHL rumour rundown, we start with the Buffalo Sabres and how they could target Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies this offseason. Next, we look at the Ottawa Senators, who have been looking for forward help, and they have now been linked to Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish.

Finally, Jason Robertson remains without a contract, and the Dallas Stars will be getting lots of trade calls, but there could be some clarity on that situation coming soon.

Sabres May Revisit Knies Trade

Around the 2026 Trade Deadline, news broke that the Maple Leafs were taking calls on Knies, and that was a surprising report to many. There were a lot of rumoured teams, but the Sabres trying to bring him in this offseason could make sense.

As the future of Alex Tuch remains up in the air, they may be looking for potential replacements if they are unable to get a contract figured out. Knies would fit that mold well, bringing a physical style of play, offensive upside, and the added benefit of being younger and making less money.

Acquiring Knies would come at a significant price. According to Chad DeDominicis of Expected Buffalo, the Sabres were trying to get Knies at the trade deadline and had discussed moving quality assets in a potential deal. (from 2026 Team Trade Breakdown: Leafs may have difficult decisions ahead under new management, Expected Buffalo, May 30, 2026)

Some of those same players were reportedly involved in trade talks surrounding a possible Robert Thomas acquisition from the St. Louis Blues, which is another deal the Sabres could revisit this summer.

Senators Eyeing McTavish to Bolster Top-Six

One of the worst-kept secrets in the trade market is that the Senators are looking for a top-six scoring winger. Throughout 2025-26, they used players like Claude Giroux and David Perron in the top-six, but they weren’t fast enough or productive enough for a permanent spot there.

Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch reported that the Senators are looking at McTavish as a possible solution. Garrioch writes, “Yes, McTavish is a centre, but he could play wing, or it could give head coach Travis Green the option of moving second-line pivot Dylan Cozens to the wing. McTavish, 23, was the No. 3 overall selection in the 2021 draft and doesn’t have any trade protection.” (from Anaheim’s Mason McTavish is on Ottawa Senators’ radar, Ottawa Sun, May 30, 2026)

The Senators have a luxury with Tim Stutzle, Dylan Cozens, and Shane Pinto as their top three centres. If they brought in McTavish and moved him, or Cozens, to the wing, it could make a lot of sense.

McTavish is just 23 years old, and grew up in Carp, Ontario, just outside of Ottawa. He can play a physical game, and match the energy the Senators have pretty well.

The 2025-26 season was one to forget for McTavish. He scored 41 points in 75 games, and come playoff time, he served as a healthy scratch at times. This could all be brought back to the contract dispute to start the season, which led to him missing a lot of training camp.

The Senators don’t have the most attractive group of trade assets, and their 2026 first-round pick is not able to be traded.

The Senators could include a mix of prospects, later picks, and even someone off of the roster to help facilitate this deal.

Robertson’s Future About to Get More Clarity?

Another big name people have been keeping an eye on is Robertson. The Stars have a complicated cap situation, and with Robertson not having a contract, they could use the opportunity to shake up their roster after another disappointing playoff exit.

Robertson is likely to command north of $12 million annually on his contract, and especially after giving that money to Mikko Rantanen, it won’t be easy to accommodate.

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan wrote, “The Jason Robertson saga will finally see some clarity and all signs point to an extension in Dallas, rather than a trade.”

The team and player both seem content with each other. It’s not like Robertson isn’t getting the ice time or producing, and the Stars still have a very bright future. This is seemingly just about fitting the money in.

If a team were to offer sheet Robertson, it would cost them four first-round draft picks. If they offer him $14 million and are willing to move those picks, that could be a sensible situation.

The Stars could get a king’s ransom for Robertson, and change a lot of their roster.