The Chicago Blackhawks are entering the 2026 NHL offseason as a team to watch very closely. While they have plenty of promising young prospects in their system, they should not be afraid to bring in proven NHL talent this summer as well.
The Blackhawks’ biggest need during the offseason is to bring in at least one proven top-six winger. Connor Bedard could use more help around him, and one player who stands out as a perfect target for Chicago is Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies.
Advertisement
The Blackhawks’ interest in Knies is no secret, as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported last month that they were one of the teams that targeted him leading up to the trade deadline. With the Blackhawks still in need of top-six help, bringing in a player like Knies would be huge for them.
At just 23 years old, Knies would be a perfect fit on a rebuilding Blackhawks team that is looking to take that next step. This is especially so when noting that he would be far more than a rental for the Blackhawks if acquired. This is because he is signed until the end of the 2030-31 season, where he has a $7.75 million cap hit.
Knies’ offensive skill could make him thrive playing with a star center like Bedard. His stats this season show how impactful he can be, as he had 23 goals and 66 points in 79 games for the Maple Leafs. The 6-foot-3 winger also made an impact with his physicality, posting 152 hits.
Ultimately, with the Blackhawks needing another star in their lineup, Knies is exactly the kind of young and proven forward that they should be kicking tires on again if Toronto makes him available.
Read the full article here
