The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired left wing Matthew Knies, defenseman Emil Andrae, center Steven Lorentz and a conditional second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for right wing Kirill Marchenko, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and left wing Miles Wood.

Knies, 23, recorded 67 goals and 93 assists for 160 points, 119 penalty minutes, with 11-22-33 on the power play, 11 game-winning goals, 505 hits and 411 shots on goal, while averaging 16:56 of ice time in 240 career games with the Maple Leafs.  He has registered consecutive 20-goal and 50-point seasons during his first three NHL campaigns.  The winger was originally selected by Toronto in the second round (57^th overall) at the 2021 NHL Draft.

“Matthew is a big, strong power forward who combines tough, hard-nosed physical play with outstanding offensive skills,” said Blue Jackets president of hockey operations and general manager Don Waddell said.  “He is a young player with great character and work ethic and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the Blue Jackets family.”

The 6-2, 232-pound forward notched career highs in assists, points, power play goals and time on ice in 2025-26, finishing with 23-43-66, six power play tallies and 152 hits on 18:48 TOI in 79 appearances. He set single-season career highs in goals, game-winning goals, hits and shots on goal in 2024-25 with 29-29-58, six GWG, 182 hits and 152 shots on 18:31 TOI in 78 appearances in 2024-25. After making his NHL debut with Toronto during the 2022-23 campaign, Knies collected 15-20-35 and 45 PIM in 80 outings in 2023-24.

A native of Phoenix, Knies played collegiate hockey at the University of Minnesota from 2021-23, posting 36-39-75, 60 PIM and a cumulative +46 plus/minus rating in 73 appearances. He was a finalist for the 2022-23 Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the country’s top NCAA men’s hockey player and named to the First All-American Team after posting 21-21-42 and 29 PIM in 40 contests with the Gophers.  He represented the United States at the 2022 Olympic Games and the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championships.

Back home, Knies skated for the Jr. Coyotes.

— Columbus Blue Jackets Staff

(September 28, 2026)