Matthew Knies is preparing for his Columbus Blue Jackets debut after Monday’s blockbuster trade ended months of uncertainty surrounding his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto sent Knies, Emil Andrae, Steven Lorentz and a 2027 second-round pick to Columbus in exchange for Kirill Marchenko, Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins.
Knies opened up on the move Tuesday and admitted the timing caught him off guard.
“Not entirely,” Knies said when asked if the trade surprised him. “I feel like it’s kind of been hanging over my head for a little bit here. But I guess one day before opening day here, I was pretty shocked.”
Knies hinted at having grown tired of trade speculation over the past few months, with the 23-year-old welcoming moving beyond the rumors and into a new career chapter.
“I just kept coming up, and it stuck with me, kind of hung over my head for a little bit,” Knies said. “I’m fired up to go to Columbus and get a fresh start, a breath of fresh air and not have to worry about all that crap over my head, the trade stuff. I can just focus on hockey and focus on the guys in the room and try to win.”
Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Knies recorded a career-high 66 points, including 23 goals and 43 assists, in 79 games last season. He remains signed through 2030-31 as part of a six-year, $46.5 million deal signed with the Leafs at a $7.75 million annual cap hit.
Columbus coach Rick Bowness plans to put Knies on the top line alongside Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson and use him on the top power-play unit.
Knies is expected to make his Blue Jackets debut Thursday when Columbus hosts the Buffalo Sabres at 7 p.m. ET.
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