There were more layers to this deal as well, with multiple first round picks and top Leafs prospect Matthew Knies heading to Chicago, with winger Brandon Hagel as the additional piece coming back to Toronto.
Dreger revealed that the primary reason that the deal never went through is that the Leafs did not feel comfortable giving away so many future assets. As a result, Fleury was never asked to waive his NTC for a trade to Toronto.
The NHL Insider went on to say that the Leafs have high hopes for all of Jack Campbell, Joseph Woll and Erik Kallgren and that the pieces that they did not move in a deal to bring in Fleury and Hagel will likely be used (at least one of them) in a package for a defenseman.
The Leafs have all but come out to state publicly that Knies is untouchable. The club is so high on him as a matter of fact, that he could make his NHL debut for the Buds later this season, once the NCAA season concludes.
POLL | ||
19 MARS | 640 ANSWERS Report: Leafs declined a deal for both Fleury AND Hagel involving Matthew Knies and Petr Mrazek Should the Leafs have traded Mrazek, Knies and multiple picks for Fleury and Hagel? | ||
100% | 175 | 27.3 % |
Not a chance! Way too costly | 360 | 56.3 % |
I'm happy they didn't but wouldn't have been mad | 105 | 16.4 % |
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