Maple Leafs and Sabers Blockbuster Trade Theory Has Legs – Hockey Writers –

The Maple Leafs have been looking at the possibility of trading Matthew Knies since at least the 2026 trade deadline. There was a reported deal with the Montreal Canadiens that didn’t reach the finish line as of 3:00 p.m., and with new management under John Chayka, reports say he’s still open to offers, even if he doesn’t buy a defender.

Nick Kypreos recently argued that the return of the Knies will be a top defenseman, a first baseman and a second baseman. That return may be high, but the reality is, Toronto will be getting a striker who has never reached a high price, is under a long-term contract with a team, and has no trade protection.

Joining the conversation from stage left is Bowen Byram.

That Makes The Buffalo Sabers An Interesting Option

TSN’s Darren Dreger is one of several insiders reporting that Byram has received interest from “multiple teams,” and noted that the defense’s agent Darren Ferris “has a history of players walking to the open market.” The Sabers don’t want Byram to leave as a UFA, so if he can’t get an extension, he can be traded.

Byram will give Toronto a left-handed puck-mover on defense that it hasn’t had since the early years of Morgan Rielly, and Byram’s offensive skills are at a premium. He wants a chance to be the top guy, and that will be in Toronto, where he can slot into the top pairing with newly acquired right-shooting defenseman Darren Raddysh.

For the Sabers, the trade is worth it. Knies would give the Sabers a potential replacement for Alex Tuch, it wouldn’t be much more than a one-man trade and they have Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson on the roster. The buffalo does not harm its green line.

Knies fits the profile well as a top-six defensive player who can play alongside Tage Thompson. Byram fits in seamlessly for Toronto, giving them the opportunity to move Rielly and Brandon Carlo to fill holes elsewhere.

Problems

The biggest issue is Byram’s costs after the current contract expires. The Maple Leafs will want to know if they are open to signing an extension and what that number might look like. Rumor has it he wants $10 or $11 million if he adds, thinking he can prove he’s the top man. Are the Leafs comfortable paying that? Furthermore, are they willing to gamble by trading a high-powered wing in hopes that Byram will stay?

Likewise, deals with different competitors always come with an element of risk. Perhaps this seems like a win / win trade for both parties, but no one wants to give the other a significant advantage.

Finally, what if the Knies were everything the Leafs hoped they would be and more? Is trading him a good idea? Or, is this deal with the Sabers the best?

The Maple Leafs Have Options

Buffalo isn’t the only team interested. The Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks also came up as two of the teams that reportedly asked how serious the Maple Leafs are. Chicago holds the No. 4 overall pick in 2026, and perhaps the Leafs would rather get two new difference-makers in the draft than add to a blue-collar team they just added two pieces to.

This is a really interesting hockey trade to discuss because both players are 23-25 ​​years old, both have very reasonable contracts, and both fill a real need for the other team. If Byram shows he’s going to sign long-term in Toronto, maybe this is happening. If he wants to test the market, the Leafs might think twice about giving up the Knies on a one-year lease.