Leafs and Stars discussed Knies swap for 2026 No. 7 pick

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars discussed sending Matthew Knies to Dallas in exchange for the No. 7 pick on 2026 draft night.

Leafs target second top-10 selection

The Maple Leafs entered draft night seeking an additional selection inside the top 10. Frank Seravalli reported that Toronto and Dallas explored a swap in which Knies would move to the Stars to offset the potential loss of Jason Robertson. The proposed deal collapsed when the underlying Seattle trade for Robertson failed to materialize.

GM John Chayka made clear that any Knies departure must return both a top-10 pick and at least one roster player. Sources close to the club indicated that Toronto views Knies as a high-value asset whose departure requires a substantial return.

Chayka separately contacted the Chicago Blackhawks about the No. 4 pick and expressed openness to moving every selection except the No. 1 overall choice. The strategy centers on landing two players from the same draft class who are close in age and development timeline.

Buffalo Sabres also reached out about Knies in separate conversations late on June 25. Those inquiries reinforced the forward’s market value heading into the draft floor.

Stars weigh replacement options

Dallas explored the Knies route after preliminary discussions with Seattle over Jason Robertson stalled. The Stars would have received a 23-year-old left-shot forward already under contract through 2027-28 to fill the potential void.

The failed Seattle deal left Dallas without an immediate replacement option inside the top 10. Any future trade involving the No. 7 pick would now occur without the Robertson leverage that initially surfaced the Knies conversation.

Other clubs, including Pittsburgh, Chicago and Utah, have registered interest in Robertson on a stand-alone basis. Those inquiries keep the Stars’ draft asset in play while they evaluate forward depth.

Draft-night implications for Toronto

Acquiring the No. 7 pick would give the Maple Leafs two selections inside the top 10 for the first time since 2018. The added prospect would join an existing first-rounder and accelerate the club’s timeline for internal competition at forward.

Chayka’s stated preference for same-age additions from the top 10 aligns with the age curve of the 2026 class. The Leafs would retain cap flexibility by moving Knies’ $1.45 million cap hit while adding controlled, cost-effective talent.

No deal had been completed by the morning of June 26. The Leafs continue to field calls on Knies while monitoring whether any top-10 team will meet the required price of a first-round pick plus roster player.

The 2026 draft begins tonight at 7 p.m. ET.