It has been clear that the Pittsburgh Penguins have been trying to land a big fish this offseason. Free agency is drying up when it comes to potential targets, but the trade market could provide some different possibilities. They wanted to land Jason Robertson in a trade with the Dallas Stars, but he just re-signed with the club on a one-year contract that will pay him $12 million.
With Jason Robertson off the board, some might assume the Penguins will retreat in trade negotiations. What should happen is GM Kyle Dubas must find a way to still make a splash this offseason. There are some names still floating out in trade speculation that would move the needle.
Dubas' current roster has plenty of flaws, and some trades might be necessary to remedy them.
One name to keep an eye on after missing out on Jason Robertson is Matthew Knies. The Toronto Maple Leaf skater has been in the rumor mill all offseason. Although speculation has dwindled over the past month or so, Knies could still be available. No, he wouldn't be as much of a splash as Robertson, but Knies is someone who could be a long-term top line solution in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Penguins could trade for Matthew Knies after missing out on Jason Robertson
There are many reasons why the Penguins could have trade interest in Knies, one of those being Kyle Dubas drafted him in 2021 during his time with the Leafs. The top six player has emerged as a solid forward for Toronto, but he might be someone they are willing to place on the trade block. The biggest issue targeting Knies could be the cost to acquire a player who isn't a star yet.
Looking at the difference between Jason Robertson and Matthew Knies, and it's clear that Robertson is a star player well above the production of Knies to date.
One thing working in the Toronto products favor is his age. He is only 23 years old, while Robertson is 27. There is a realistic outcome that sees Knies get to another level as he gets ready to enter the prime of his career.
Another interesting wrinkle into the Knies scenario would be his contract. He has a $7.75 million cap hit for another six seasons. It would be a gamble to take on his contract if the skater doesn't reach his full potential or potentially regresses. Pittsburgh is starving for young players who can be effective top line point getters, and Knies would certainly fall into that mold.
Landing a star player is not easy, as the Jason Robertson trade debacle just exposed.
Although Matthew Knies isn't the same player as Robertson, he could progress into a star player who is still young and under contract control for the foreseeable future. The trade price to land him would be costly, but that could be something Kyle Dubas isn't afraid to consider this offseason.
Add us as a preferred source on Google