Tuesday’s episode begins with a discussion about whether the Chicago Blackhawks should pursue Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies in the trade market this offseason. Host Jack Bushman dives into Knies’ fit in Chicago and the potential cost of acquiring him from Toronto. Then, Bushman breaks down left-handed defenseman Carson Carels 2026 NHL Draft Profile and whether he’s a stout option for the Blackhawks with the fourth overall pick. The episode concludes with The Athletic’s top NHL prospect pool rankings, with the Blackhawks coming in at No. 1. All that and more on Locked On Blackhawks. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.
Knies Trade? (1:05)
Carels Draft Profile (17:25)
NHL Top Prospect Pools (33:20)
Locked On Blackhawks Instagram @lockedonblackhawks
Personal X account @JackBushman2
Locked On Blackhawks EveryDayer Club
Catch all the latest Blackhawks news, deep analysis, injury updates, and insider perspectives from Locked On Blackhawks as the Chicago Blackhawks wind through a pivotal season for their rebuild.
Support Our Show By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
The Cotton Candy flavor is HERE on https://5hourEnergy.com or Amazon, crack open Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today!
To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, hair loss, weight loss, and more, visit https://Hims.com/LOCKEDONNHL.
Today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOBlackhawks?sid=YouTube
Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL
#Blackhawks #NHLHockey #ChicagoBlackhawks
QUESTION OF THE DAY — Would YOU Be Willing To Part Ways With The 4th Overall Pick For Matthew Knies? Would You Be Interested In Trading For Him At All? Do You Think He Even Gets Traded This Summer?
If during the draft, Stenberg and Molholtra are gone, then a trade using the 4th pick might be in order?
No way you trade that pick for knies take the top available player D or O !!
Draft picks our gambles and not sure things. The 4th wont play in 2026/2027. The Leafs losing Knies will be a huge hole in lineup
Not a chance in hell. Knies is considered a key player in their re tool/ re build. He's coming off a down year but hasn't reached his ceiling. He was injured most of the year. Considered to be a future captain of the Leafs.
It would be good for the Hawks, but there's zero chance the Leafs would give Knies up for a draft pick, even if it's the fourth overall. The rumor here in Montreal is that our GM tried to get Knies, but the Leafs were asking for the moon, so he backed out.
Neither team have a reason to do it.
No. 4 pick for Matthew Knies? Or Matvei Michkov?? No way.
Keeping the Knies trad rumors alive ? I wish !
F ya! You do it for knies. He’s young! Has term! Plays with grit! You give up a 1st, prospects and more high end picks! Those guys don’t grow on trees! 🦄. Name how many other guys like him ???? Then name any that are young???? Then name any available!!!! Then name a dumb team whom would trade away god players that that!!!!! And then name a team whose don’t it time and time again!!!! Bingo!! You do that shi💩😊
Swap pick's with Sharks for Korchinski and Kaiser.
Montreal are offering way more, Hawks would have to include #4, Leafs 2nd and Oilers 27 1st.
Blackhawks can trade from surplus.
NHL quality prospect Small forward like Lardis.
1st Rd pick. Top 10 protected (NOT 4th pick overall 2026)Toronto and fanbase will want immediate help back for Knies
Quality prospect. BH have several (surplus) similar 1st RD bottom 6 prospects. Boisvert/Vanacker/Nastrasil/West
High 2nd Rd pick: BH have large surplus of 2026 2nd picks and 2027 2nd rd picks.
Gritty veteran like Bertuzzi or Donato. 50% retained
NHL rostered young players: Greene/Slaggert/EDM/Soderbloom
Cap Space: we could take back an aging veteran like 32 yr old McCabe at 4.5 mil for 5 yrs to give Toronto cap relief
NOT saying we trade one of everything here of course. Just pointing out BH surpluses that we can trade from that won’t hurt the team too much yet net a great return in Knies.
BH could immediately inject a big, heavy 6’3” 230lbs winger, 25 goal, 60 pt scorer, top 6 player who hits, can fight, a player who has played 80 games three years in a row, 23 years old under contract for four years, at a reasonable price of 7.75 million. Exactly the type of player of the Chicago Blackhawks do NOT have anywhere in their system. Knies would fit in perfectly with this group talent/agewise without waiting for 2026 draft choice to develop..
I’ll add I would not trade Oliver Moore, I would rather offer Lardis if that’s what it takes to make the deal. Both Lardis and Kantsernov are small wingers. we have enough of those. Moore has a super power that nobody else has tremendous speed. Moore plays on the power-play and the penalty kill and is a center or winger.
Now that Toronto won the lottery. I don’t think they make a move until at least the trade deadline next season. They should find out what they can do with Mckenna playing for them this year.
I have a feeling Stenberg might be available. Vancouver hired Manny Malhotra as their new coach. Guess who his son is…
If Stenberg is gone before we pick , I trade for Knies but no sweetner. Also if we can't land a better player / contract than him. Not likely
#4 is too much dor knies. His numbers are surely bloated from playing with all that offensive talent in toronto
Knies for CHI #4 pick and NExt years 1st (one of the 3 they have)
Knies isn't going to be traded.Even for a first round.
Oh please stuff up
I guess anybody can have a podcast . You have no idea what you’re talking about . Habs offered a top prospect and 2 first
Knies to Chicago for their first pick and a D prospect. Then Leafs select Verhoeff.
Montreal offered 2 1st round draft picks an outstanding Russian prospect and a prime player off the team
Do you have a better offer
6’3” 230 lbs good fighter when required only 23 yrs old and 66 pts and moving up