Canadiens Pass on Knies, Stick to Timeline

0:00This is Corey with NHL News Today, powered by the Daily News Now. Subscribe for daily updates on your team. The Montreal Canadiens made ways at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline by chasing a young power forward like Matthew Knees from the Toronto. Maple Leafs, but General Manager Ken Hughes, decided to hold steady and not pull the trigger. Montreal has been building a skilled young core around players like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caulfield, and Jarage Slavkowski, but they still need more size. And physicality of front to battle in the playoffs and create space for guys like Ivan Dimitov. This pursuit shows the Canadian shifting from pure rebuilding to smart additions that match their timeline, signaling confidence that they're, foundation is solid enough for a push toward contention. Hughes noted they worked hard on one specific deal right up to the buzzer, but it fell through, and now the team has the summer to circle back when. More opportunities arise from other clubs' roster shakes.

1:00A deal for someone like Knees would have cost top prospects such as Ciden Ghoul, Adam Angstrom, or David Reimbacher, plus picks, but his six-year. Deal at 7.75 million a year fits perfectly with the core's contracts and the Rising Salary Cap. This episode is proudly sponsored by our partner, Relax Deeper, Reset Faster, Comfort You Can Hear, S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com.