Matthew Knies Faces Maple Leafs After Columbus Trade

Matthew Knies will face the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time since joining the Columbus Blue Jackets when the teams meet in Columbus on October 20, 2026. The 24-year-old forward, traded before the season began, says his priority is helping his new team win rather than seeking revenge against his former teammates.

The matchup comes as Columbus searches for more consistent offense and Toronto looks to build momentum after a difficult start. According to reports published by Sportsnaut and Heavy, Knies opened his Blue Jackets career with two goals and an assist against the Buffalo Sabres on October 1, but has since gone five consecutive games without recording a point.

Knies explained his approach to the reunion during an appearance on the Off The Roster podcast.

"I don't necessarily look at it that way. I wouldn't care what they would have to say about it or what they look at me like. I just want to be the best player I can be for these guys here and try and help this team win.

I don't really want to look at it as a competition, I kind of just want to focus on winning games here and trying to help this team as much as possible." Knies said.

According to Yahoo Sports Canada, Knies recorded 23 goals and 66 points in 79 games during his final season with Toronto. Across parts of four seasons, he accumulated 69 goals and 164 points in 247 games before general manager John Chayka traded him to Columbus in a deal centered on forward Kirill Marchenko.

The Blue Jackets also received defenseman Emil Andrae, forward Steven Lorentz and a conditional 2027 second-round draft pick in the transaction, while Columbus sent Marchenko, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins with 18% of his salary retained, and forward Miles Wood to Toronto.

Knies said the upcoming meeting would give him an opportunity to reconnect with former teammates after his departure happened quickly.

"It'll be nice to see those guys and just chat with them and talk to them. Because I didn't get to say many goodbyes, with just how fast everything happened. So it'll be nice to see their face again." Knies said.

According to Markerzone, several former teammates contacted Knies after the trade, including veteran defenseman Morgan Rielly and forwards Auston Matthews and John Tavares. Knies described the emotional difficulty of leaving a group with whom he had spent three years.

"There's honestly a lot of them (to chirp)," Knies said of the jokes he could exchange with former teammates.

He also recalled receiving messages from players who wished him well after the move.

"Almost all of them called to say their goodbyes, wish me well and say we'd keep in touch," Knies said.

Rielly was particularly important to Knies during his early years in Toronto.

"My first call was Morgan Rielly," Knies said. "He was one of the veteran players who helped me when I was a young player."

Knies also described the conversations with Toronto's other senior players.

"Johnny T, Auston and all those guys called right after. It was sad saying goodbye because of how close you get over three years." Knies said.

Toronto captain Auston Matthews previously praised Knies for his work ethic and commitment to the team, according to Heavy. Matthews said the forward still had considerable room to develop.

"For him, he hasn't even scratched the surface of his ceiling," Matthews said. "He's going to continue to get better and better, and he works at it as well."

Matthews also highlighted Knies' willingness to compete and put team needs first.

"He's a team-first guy and that's something you can appreciate about somebody," Matthews said. "He just battles and he doesn't complain, just does whatever he needs to do to get himself ready to play and he just goes out and competes. It's another good step in the right direction, taking on a little more leadership being a guy that's now been here for a few years."

Columbus initially placed Knies on its top line alongside Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson, according to Sportsnaut. Fantilli welcomed the arrival of his former college opponent.

"He was a moose in college," Fantilli said. "In the NHL, he's been a stud too."

Knies credited his new teammates for making his transition easier after the late preseason trade.

"These guys made it pretty easy on me to just be comfortable," Knies said. "Not much to stress about, I just play my game."

His early production has since slowed as Columbus has struggled to generate consistent scoring. Sportsnaut reported that Knies recorded nine hits in his first seven games, below his previous average of more than two hits per game with Toronto.

After a 7-3 loss to Florida, Knies pointed to the process of adapting to a new lineup and expressed confidence in the group.

"They put pressure on each other because they believe in this locker room; they believe there's a winning team in here," Knies said.

He has also acknowledged the physical challenge of playing against Columbus before joining the organization.

"always hell," Knies said when describing previous games against the Blue Jackets.

According to Sportsnaut, Knies and Fantilli are signed through the 2030-31 season, giving Columbus a long-term foundation as the club works to establish a consistent identity. The Blue Jackets entered the matchup with a 3-4-0 record, while Toronto was also seeking answers after defensive struggles and a 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders, as reported by The Leafs Nation.

Toronto and Columbus are scheduled to meet three times during the season. After the October 20 game in Columbus, the Blue Jackets are due to visit Toronto on November 21 and February 8.