Stars Analyst Suggests Off-the-Wall Blockbuster Trade Involving Knies & Robertson

Do you remember a Stanley Cup Final as overshadowed by the goings on of the teams that started golfing months before the trophy was ever lifted? Between trades, rumours, and signings, the offseason was in full swing before it even started, and that is especially true when it comes to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As the Maple Leafs skated off the ice in April, there were plenty of holes to fill and problems to solve. Hiring John Chayka as the general manager (GM) was step one in what was going to be a busy summer. A goaltender was going to have to be moved, and while issues surrounding the crease might not be solved, moving Joseph Woll got the ball rolling. Then, a coach was hired, and the next day, their blue line was bolstered.

Chayka has been a busy man, but as it is in Leafland, the rumours keep on swirling. Particularly, around one Matthew Knies. How close was he to being traded at the trade deadline? Will he be traded this summer? Should he be traded this summer? If so, what’s the asking price? By all accounts, it’s pretty high, as it should be.

I’ll get my opinion out of the way early. I don’t think they should trade Knies. Even if the offer is overwhelming, he is exactly the type of player that the Maple Leafs need right now, and with his age and contract on top of his style of play, he should be a massive part of what they are trying to build moving forward. However, I saw a crazy, off-the-wall trade idea the other day, and I can’t stop thinking about it.

Maple Leafs Draft 1st & 2nd Overall in Recent Proposal

Craig Ludwig is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and a longtime defenceman in the NHL. Now, he’s an analyst for DLLS, covering the Dallas Stars. On the June 23 edition of the DLLS Dallas Stars Podcast, Ludwig threw out a really fun trade idea, involving the San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, and the Maple Leafs. The Stars are currently in a tough contract negotiation with Jason Robertson and have been taking calls on him ever since the season ended.

In his proposal, he offered Jason Robertson to the Sharks for the second overall pick, and then flipped that pick to Toronto for Knies. Now, there would be other players, and/or picks coming from every side of that deal, but that would be the meat of it. Robertson for the second, and the second for Knies.

Now, Ludwig admits that it’s a crazy idea and probably won’t happen. But it makes you think, though, eh?

Why Deal Makes Sense for Sharks

Heading into the 2026-27 season, the Sharks have over $46 million in salary cap space, which means they can pay Robertson almost whatever he wants for as long as he wants. They have young players to pay, but with the amount of space they have, now would be the time to add a piece like Robertson.

The Sharks have been building their program through the draft, and little trades and signings for years now, and were just four points away from finally returning to the playoffs after a long, long drought. There’s no reason why getting a player like Robertson couldn’t get them over the hump.

Robertson has 213 goals and 290 points in 456 games, and turns 27 next month. Imagine this guy next to Macklin Celebrini for the next seven-plus seasons? The Sharks took a massive step forward last season and don’t necessarily need another prospect. They could absolutely use another playmaking forward like Robertson, though.

Why Deal Makes Sense for Stars

In a perfect world, the Stars would love to keep Robertson. And why wouldn’t they? However, they have only $9.26 million in cap space left for next season and have more roster questions than just Robertson. They’re in a tough situation, and it seems more and more likely that Robertson will have no choice but to move on. That being said, GM Jim Nill was recently crowned GM of the Year for three straight seasons, with his reign ending this spring. Whether Robertson stays or leaves, if anyone can figure it out, Nill can.

But let’s just say that they do need to move Robertson. The Stars, while being a terrific offensive team in recent years, have always lacked a certain level of physicality and grit that is exposed every postseason. They have been a strong puck possession team, but when they are forced to chase pucks and win battles, they struggle every year, especially in the playoffs.

Enter Knies. He is exactly the style of player the Stars have needed, specifically the years that they were ousted by the Edmonton Oilers in consecutive conference finals. Sure, you’re losing a 40-plus goal scorer in Robertson, but Knies has had 29 and 23 goals in his last two seasons, and is only going to get better in a loaded top-six like Dallas. Also, with players like Wyatt Johnston, Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, Matt Duchene, and Tyler Seguin, the Stars will have no problem scoring goals.

Why Deal Makes Sense for Maple Leafs

Once again, let me be clear, I don’t think the Maple Leafs should trade Knies. But I can understand why this deal would be tempting.

Right now, the general consensus is that the Maple Leafs will select Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick on Friday night. If they do, McKenna will be a mainstay in the top six for Toronto for years to come, along with the likes of Easton Cowan, Knies, William Nylander, and hopefully, Auston Matthews.

If there’s anyone that the experts think could jump over McKenna and grab the number one spot, it’s Ivar Stenberg. Many people think that Stenberg is a more NHL-ready player, but that McKenna will be the better player in the long run. Well, what if you could have both?

It’s tempting, for sure. My argument would be that the Maple Leafs already have and know Knies. I also think Knies plays with a passion and edge that you just can’t teach, and as much as the Stars could use that, so could the Maple Leafs, of course. Regardless of what these prospects are projected to be, you don’t know until you know. Right now, the Maple Leafs know exactly what they have in Knies. While I appreciate the risks that Chayka has proven he is ready to take, I don’t think this one would be worth it.

I’m sure there would be other pieces in the deal to sweeten the pot for either side, but looking at it one-for-one, I would stick with Knies.

There’s Probably Nothing to Worry About… Yet

As Mr. Ludwig said, this is probably not going to happen. But, as I said, it does make you think. While this trade might be a pipe dream, there are real talks involving Knies that are being pitched as we speak. Every man has his price. So, what is the price for Knies?

The Maple Leafs have already improved the roster dramatically. They are not done, of course, but this team is already better on paper than it was last season. If Toronto does trade Knies, it is my opinion that the return needs to make this roster better right now, not just in the future. The Maple Leafs could bounce back and be a playoff team, and that could be in jeopardy if you add two rookies to an important part of your lineup and remove a player who has grown both in size and play year after year.

I’m not saying they should sacrifice the future to make the playoffs. Of course not. But Knies is good enough, and young enough, that trading him could very well be a regrettable sacrifice, and an unnecessary one at that.