TORONTO, ONTARIO - MAY 4: John Chayka speaks at a press conference where he was announced as General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Mats Sundin was introduced as Senior Executive Advisor of Hockey Operations at Real Sports Bar & Grill on May 4, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Michael Chisholm/Getty Images) Getty

The Vancouver Canucks were the worst team in the NHL last season (58 points), but a young star could help them get closer to the competition.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a number of major moves under the new regime led by general manager John Chayka, as he himself as looked to reshape the franchise. The Maple Leafs are coming off of a vastly disappointing season, a year that saw them finish with just 78 points, the worst record in the Atlantic Division and the second-worst point total in the Eastern Conference.

The disappointing season resulted in the Maple Leafs missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade. That underwhelming campaign led to Toronto making moves for Stanley Cup champion goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and former Tampa Bay Lightning star defenseman Darren Raddysh. Toronto also made a number of moves, leading to the departures of Joseph Woll, Nick Robertson, Simon Benoit and Dennis Hildeby.

Matthew Knies, who is coming off of a career-high 66-point season for the Maple Leafs, has been mentioned in trade rumors. Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal recently urged the team to make a move for young players without trade protection, with one of those names being the 23-year-old Knies.

“Get those guys under 25 that have no moves. They don’t have no moves, so they can’t block a trade for Vancouver. Go get Kent Johnson, Shane Wright, Matthew Knies. They’re all under 25 and they have no trade protection. Those are the guys that they got to go get,” said Dhaliwal.

Matthew Knies Considered Maple Leafs’ Top Young Piece in Potential Trade

Knies signed a six-year, $46.5 million contract extension prior to the start of the 2025-26 season and in turn, he produced the best season of his young NHL career. The young forward produced 23 goals and 43 assists, ranking fourth in goals and second in assists on the team.

Considering he has yet to reach his full potential and when also factoring in that he’s on a favorable deal as a 23-year-old player, it’s no shock that Knies is arguably the Leafs’ most prized possession on its roster.

The Canucks could desperately use some firepower, ranking 30th in goals scored and dead last in goals allowed. Their points leader was Elias Pettersson, who had just 51 points in 74 games. Meanwhile, their goals leader was Jake DeBrusk (23 goals) and their assists leader was Filip Hronek (41 assists), meaning Knies outproduced or matched the Canucks’ leading point scorers from last season.

John Chayka on Possible Trade Involving Matthew Knies

When asked if the Leafs could move Knies, Chayka didn’t shut down the notion back in June. However, he did hint that it would take a massive haul for that to happen.

“As my job as general manager, we’re gonna evaluate everything,” Chayka said. “The idea that we’re gonna improve the roster by moving, you know, a top young player, yeah, anything’s possible. “I guess it’s not probable. But as we think about our team and, you know, how we improve, that’s a tough bar to hurdle.”

We’ll see if the Leafs make more moves leading into the 2026-27 season, but one of the top topics is none other than where Knies will play this upcoming season.

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A bit of arm twisting paid big dividends for several local senior bowlers.

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Mandy Wilson recruited friends Ann Coleman and Dana Bone to compete in the recent Ohio Senior Olympics. The trio of Dayton area bowlers did more than compete, they struck their way to gold medal finishes and qualified for the 2027 National Senior Games in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“I knew some people who had competed in this in the past, but I never had,” Wilson, 67, said. “I saw flyers at some local bowling centers and basically talked the two of them into it.”

The Ohio Senior Olympics include a variety of events including archery, basketball, cycling, swimming, volleyball and bowling. The event is designed to foster camaraderie, sportsmanship and healthy competition among athletes 50 and older.

Wilson opened the competition at H.P. Lanes, in Columbus, with singles play — winning the women’s 65-69 age division. The singles competition, both the men’s and women’s, includes eight divisions from 50-54 to 90-94.

“There was a married couple in their 90s competing,” Wilson said. “I hope I can keep bowling till I’m 90.”

Coleman, 56, earned a singles silver medal in the 55-59 division, also qualifying for the national games.

“It really helps to come out of Dayton because of the caliber of bowlers we are used to seeing,” Coleman said. “You know you have to bowl your best.”

Day 2 meant doubles play and Wilson and Coleman took the gold in the women’s 55-59 division.

“Our goal is always to win, but we didn’t know anything about this tournament, so we wanted to at least medal,” Coleman said.

Two gold medals in hand, Wilson picked up her third in the mixed doubles event with Bone in the 60-64 division.

“I am incredibly fortunate to not only be awarded the gold medal for my age group … but also win the gold medal for the mixed doubles with my great friend Mandy,” Bone said. “We have bowled many events and bowled well, but to win a gold medal with her made the results even more special.”

Special, but a bit surprising.

“I did not expect to win all three events,” Wilson said. “I think it will be a lot tougher in Tulsa.”

Coleman also picked up a third medal at the Ohio Senior Olympics, a silver in mixed doubles with partner Norm Dendler. All the medalists qualified for the National Senior Games.

“It sounds like a true Olympic event, thousands of athletes competing in many different sports at a very high level,” Coleman said. “It is kind of cool to be going.”

Wilson is excited to meet some new people and, of course, try to bring home some more hardware.

“If I’m going to win something, I want it to be against tough competition,” she said.

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