Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs (Image via Getty Images)There are NHL trade rumors around the Toronto Maple Leafs and young forward Matthew Knies after reports of a big offer sheet prior to the trade deadline. The winger had several teams chasing him hard following his breakout National Hockey League season, league sources said.Matthew Knies emerged as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ most valuable young player with strong offensive production and improved two-way play. The latest NHL updates indicate that rival franchises still see Knies as a potential cornerstone player, adding to the speculation around Toronto’s offseason roster strategy.Matthew Knies draws major Toronto Maple Leafs NHL trade interestMatthew Knies became a prime Toronto Maple Leafs trade target with a breakout NHL season and long-term upside. The 23-year-old forward reportedly had multiple franchises interested, and insider Chris Johnston said one team assembled a monster multi-player package in hopes of landing him.In the end, the Toronto Maple Leafs declined the offer, which is a sign of how much the organization values Knies moving forward. His size, scoring touch, defensive awareness and versatility have made him one of the more popular names in recent NHL trade speculation.Knies ended the year with fantastic numbers offensively and developed his chemistry with stars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.Reports have league officials viewing Knies as a top-line winger for the National Hockey League with the ability to contribute from day one, with a lot of room to develop.Now general manager John Chayka has some important decisions to make regarding roster construction, salary cap management and future contract planning. The Toronto Maple Leafs stood down from earlier trade discussions, but NHL insiders believe teams may revisit potential offers when the offseason arrives.The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking for answers to stay Stanley Cup contenders after another disappointing playoff exit. That said, the latest NHL updates indicate Matthew Knies continues to be viewed as a significant component of the franchise’s long-term future internally.