One-for-one trade involving Matthew Knies and New York Rangers is becoming more and more likely

The mutual interest is real.

Per Vincent Mercogliano, the Rangers reached out to Toronto first about Knies, while the Leafs circled back on Trocheck.

That bidirectional interest is what turns a rumor into a legitimate offseason framework.

The positional fit looks clean on the surface. Toronto needs a center after finishing 28th, and Trocheck is a proven two-way pivot who won 56.9 percent of his faceoffs and averaged more than 20 minutes a night this past season.

New York needs a young, ascending winger to anchor its retool after finishing with the Eastern Conference's worst record.

Both teams want what the other has, and that mutual pull is what makes the conversation serious.

The problem with a straight swap is that the market has already defined Knies' price. Per David Pagnotta of Daily Faceoff, Montreal and Toronto had a trade framework in place at the March deadline that would have sent Knies to the Canadiens for Alexander Zharovsky, another prospect, and two first-round picks.

The deal didn't close, but the value floor is now established. Trocheck recorded 53 points in 67 games this past season at age 32, carrying a $5.625 million cap hit, while Knies put up 66 points in 79 games at 23 on a $7.75 million deal.

General manager John Chayka knows what Knies was worth three months ago. If the Rangers want to close this deal this summer, Trocheck alone doesn't get it done.

A first-round pick, a quality prospect, or both would need to come back before Toronto's front office justifies moving a 23-year-old locked in through 2031.

The math is the part that should give everyone pause.

The interest is real. The price is not.

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