Rumor: Pagnotta: Montreal and Toronto had an agreed trade at trade deadline: Knies for Zharovksy, prospect + 2x 1st round pick

[MasterMatt25]

Montreal is a very good team and Knies would make them even better. Both of the 1sts would be late 1sts.

Zharkovsky is an excellent propect.

I would think the additional prospect would have to be an excellent prospect as well for it to make sense as the late 1sts are less valuable than people think.

Now that also become very pricey for Montreal. I don't imagine either team does that.

With that said, if it was Zharkovsky, Hage, and two 1sts, the Leafs would be crazy not to take that and Montreal would probably be crazy to offer that.

Add in that Treliving has thankfully been fired. I imagine any momentum around this is in the past at this point. Also, Pagnotta is a hack.

I feel like the other prospect was someone other than Hage or Reinbacher. They're bigger names than Zharovsky yet Z is the one mentioned.

 

[MarkusNaslund19]

Double that if Montreal is trading for McDavid

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

I feel like the other prospect was someone other than Hage or Reinbacher. They're bigger names than Zharovsky yet Z is the one mentioned.

Bigger name in the sense that he was a very high pick . Reinbachers value has been depreciating since the day he was drafted . He’d easily be the “ secondary prospect “ here in relation to Zhar value wise.

 

[Baksfamous112]

This rumour makes sense. Even Friedman said the player that Hughes talked about at the TDL presser was Knies. This is a hefty price, but one I would have been willing to give up for Knies. Too bad it didn't happen and that Toronto moved on from Trev because this would've been an excellent trade for Montreal

 

[Captain Mountain]

Bigger name in the sense that he was a very high pick . Reinbachers value has been depreciating since the day he was drafted . He’d easily be the “ secondary prospect “ here in relation to Zhar value wise.

Trade talk getting louder, Knies almost a Hab — The Fourth Period

The Montreal Canadiens & Toronto Maple Leafs almost completed a trade involving Matthew Knies, reports David Pagnotta.

www.thefourthperiod.com

As I spoke about on DFO Rundown Insider Edition earlier today, in exchange for Knies, the Canadiens were going to send highly-touted prospect Alexander Zharovsky (whose name I mispronounced in the segment, my apologies), another top prospect and two first-round draft picks to Toronto. Sources also confirmed the second player was not Michael Hage nor David Reinbacher.

 

[BoneHutson]

Knies has an excellent contract and can play top line so I get the idea of it being "We're upgrading what Zharovsky could possibly be and getting a guy now" and he allows Slafkovsky to stay on the second line with Demidov. I don't hate the idea. I just don't think it's real.

They wouldnt trade Zharo while he's training in MTL with his best friend who also happens to be your future best player... That would look bad for the habs from Demidov's pov imo. And Zharovsky has a higher potential than Knies and will be ready in a year. 2x1st + Engstrom + Kapanen is the max Id pay for Knies (and its already a lot). Otherwise (if the big c are too expensive), use those assets to move up in the draft and get that coveted top 6 C (Bjorck)

 

[Baksfamous112]

Bigger name in the sense that he was a very high pick . Reinbachers value has been depreciating since the day he was drafted . He’d easily be the “ secondary prospect “ here in relation to Zhar value wise.

I doubt that. Montreal still value Reinbacher a lot. I doubt they see him as a second-tier piece in a trade.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

This rumour makes sense. Even Friedman said the player that Hughes talked about at the TDL presser was Knies. This is a hefty price, but one I would have been willing to give up for Knies. Too bad it didn't happen and that Toronto moved on from Trev because this would've been an excellent trade for Montreal

I thought he said “ it wasn’t Knies “ . Maybe I’m misremembering

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Could see it being a draft day trade

28th overll- 2026 draft
1st round pick protected- 2027 draft
Zharovsky
Beck

for

Knies

The problem is the currency of draft picks isn't as high for Montreal. That's the price of being good. The bet that you'll get a pick in top half of the draft (usually top 10 is protected) has dropped significantly. And that's true for 2027 too. Montreal just looks too promising. Buffalo is in the same boat. These 27 and 28 picks become longer shots to make the NHL than a 10-15. The value is simply less. Toronto can move a 1st rounder (if they had one, LOL) in the next couple of years for more value.

It's an enviable problem for Montreal

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Trade talk getting louder, Knies almost a Hab — The Fourth Period

The Montreal Canadiens & Toronto Maple Leafs almost completed a trade involving Matthew Knies, reports David Pagnotta.

www.thefourthperiod.com

That’s all well and good . I wouldn’t want Reinbacher involved to be honest , and have been very consistent on his meh ness; personally. My statement was more to do w the assertion/ insinuation that Reinbacher is still a “ better prospect/bigger name ” and that he’d be headlining such a proposal . Anyway fun to read but it’s not the same situation anymore

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

I doubt that. Montreal still value Reinbacher a lot. I doubt they see him as a second-tier piece in a trade.

Maybe , doesn’t mean teams do. They invested a lot in him so gotta roll w it at this point . I bet if Montreal does end up making a big move that he’ll be involved and won’t be the highest valued piece involved .

 

[Michoulicious]

Kent Hughes expressed there was a big trade that almost happened and it will be revisited in the summer.

Pagnotta expressed the trade was agreed on by both teams: Knies to Montreal for Zharovsky, prospect and TWO first round picks. Hit a snag last minute at the deadline.

8:50 in to the video

Way too much.

Toronto should have pulled the trigger holysh**. Dobson was traded for way less than that.

 

[OVO16]

Thank god this didnt go through. If the other prospect wasn't Hagens, then this would've been atrocious

 

[Nevins]

Could see it being a draft day trade

28th overll- 2026 draft
1st round pick protected- 2027 draft
Zharovsky
Beck

for

Knies

This is so bad for Habs

 

[Captain Mountain]

That’s all well and good . I wouldn’t want Reinbacher involved to be honest , and have been very consistent on his meh ness; personally. My statement was more to do w the assertion/ insinuation that Reinbacher is still a “ better prospect/bigger name ” and that he’d be headlining such a proposal . Anyway fun to read but it’s not the same situation anymore

And I'm pretty indifferent on the idea of Montreal acquiring Knies anyways, I don't think he's worth it for Montreal.

And he is a bigger name, even if he probably isn't a better prospect. Your opinion on the quality of the prospect (and my opinion of Knies) is irrelevant, he's a former 5th OA pick - that's a big-name prospect.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

They wouldnt trade Zharo while he's training in MTL with his best friend who also happens to be your future best player... That would look bad for the habs from Demidov's pov imo. And Zharovsky has a higher potential than Knies and will be ready in a year. 2x1st + Engstrom + Kapanen is the max Id pay for Knies (and it’s already a lot). Otherwise (if the big c are too expensive), use those assets to move up in the draft and get that coveted top 6 C (Bjorck)

lol Zharovsky is the headliner , you can’t just swap him out . The above wouldn’t come close to doing it . The 1 sts are likely very late and Kapanen doesn’t seemingly have a huge ceiling. My understanding was him doing well this season was viewed somewhat as a fortunate surprise . Why else would Montreal be hot on the trail for a 2 c if they thought Kapanen could excel here ? Zhar or Hage would be the centrepiece ; even then doesn’t sound like Knies is available ( if he ever was ) .

 

[Baksfamous112]

Maybe , doesn’t mean teams do. They invested a lot in him so gotta roll w it at this point . I bet if Montreal does end up making a big move that he’ll be involved and won’t be the highest valued piece involved .

He played a few games for Montreal at the end of the season and looked great. They even kept him for a little while during the first round before sending him down to get some AHL playoff games. He's almost guaranteed to be in the starting line-up next year in the opening game.

Maybe other teams don't value him as much as Montreal but if that's the case, you might as well pick another prospect from Montreal's pipeline because he's not going to be involved as a secondary piece in any trade whatsoever.

 

[HuGo Sham]

Montreal is a very good team and Knies would make them even better. Both of the 1sts would be late 1sts.

Zharkovsky is an excellent propect.

I would think the additional prospect would have to be an excellent prospect as well for it to make sense as the late 1sts are less valuable than people think.

Now that also become very pricey for Montreal. I don't imagine either team does that.

With that said, if it was Zharkovsky, Hage, and two 1sts, the Leafs would be crazy not to take that and Montreal would probably be crazy to offer that.

Add in that Treliving has thankfully been fired. I imagine any momentum around this is in the past at this point. Also, Pagnotta is a hack.

there's 0 chance it would've been Hage. None. No way habs are given up their TWO best F prospects + 2 1sts. Give me a f***ing break.
Pagnotta even said it wasn't Reinbacher or Hage. It was most likely Engstrom and even that is a ridiculous offer imo.
Arpon Basu on TSN690 this afternoon was discussing how multiple teams were calling on Engstrom's availability throughout the season

 

[frederixx]

Interesting. Zharovsky is the real deal, he'll be a great top 6 talent. Knies would be a great playoffs Warrior for Montreal too

 

[Breakers]

Christ…. Trading one of your best player with no established NHL talent coming back when you don’t own your own picks

Those lottery days would be nightmare fuel in Toronto

 

[Jee]

It's been known for a while mo? Pagnotta still trying to make it look like he knows things lmao.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Could see it being a draft day trade

28th overll- 2026 draft
1st round pick protected- 2027 draft
Zharovsky
Beck

for

Knies

I'd stop watching the Leafs if they made this trade.

 

[HockeyVirus]

This rumour makes sense. Even Friedman said the player that Hughes talked about at the TDL presser was Knies. This is a hefty price, but one I would have been willing to give up for Knies. Too bad it didn't happen and that Toronto moved on from Trev because this would've been an excellent trade for Montreal

Yes Hughes recognized Treliving is a f***ing moron who was going to get fired and wanted to save his job and almost was able to take advantage of him before time ran out.

I think Leaf fans would have torn Mastercard center to the ground brick by brick the moment this was announced

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Yes Hughes recognized Treliving is a f***ing moron who was going to get fired and wanted to save his job and almost was able to take advantage of him before time ran out.

I think Leaf fans would have torn Mastercard center to the ground brick by brick the moment this was announced

It's a OK return IF , you also trade Willy and Matthews and go full rebuild

I never understood shopping Knies instead of exploring moving from the 2 superstars. Some nonsense by Treliving. No plan/direction kind of shopping

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

He played a few games for Montreal at the end of the season and looked great. They even kept him for a little while during the first round before sending him down to get some AHL playoff games. He's almost guaranteed to be in the starting line-up next year in the opening game.

Maybe other teams don't value him as much as Montreal but if that's the case, you might as well pick another prospect from Montreal's pipeline because he's not going to be involved as a secondary piece in any trade whatsoever.

Listen he’s gonna be an NHL d man , just to me not a very exciting one. If I’m a team that deals a big piece to Montreal gets him as the headliner I think that’s a win for the Habs . As a Leaf fan I can’t love all their players but I’ve been pretty effusive with the direction of the club / prospects galore . I don’t like it but it’s reality