Looking ahead just a little, Matthews has to answer a similar question Marchenko did, by July 1, 2027. I wonder if providing Matthews a better winger to play with (Knies was team worst -30 last season) covered part of their reasoning to proceed with this deal. It is going to be a tough sell regardless as only 3 players on the starting 20 are under 29. Most of their talent is on the back nine of their career. They're not true contenders this year and their window of becoming a true contender can't be very long, if ever, due to declination from age and limited prospects in their system. If they don't make the playoffs, they have little hope of re-signing him. I'm guessing Marchenko can help them more than Knies this year. It will be interesting to see what trade protection Marchenko got .. Nylander, Raddysh & Tanev are currently the only players under contract 3 yrs from now with no move protection should Matthews leave.
