What happened: Toronto drew offseason interest in Knies before the 2026 NHL Draft. Talks with New York have since cooled, leaving the 23-year-old in Toronto’s plans for 2026-27.
Why it matters: The asking price preserves Toronto’s leverage around a young top-six forward while leaving New York’s search for scoring unresolved. The Rangers finished last in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs for a second straight year.
By the numbers: Knies set career highs with 66 points on 23 goals and 43 assists in 2025-26. New York finished 34-39-9.
What to watch: Watch whether Toronto carries Knies into training camp or renewed interest produces an offer closer to its valuation.