The Montreal Canadiens could have avoided significant controversy in the 2021 draft if they had added the player behind Logan Mailloux to their roster.

According to journalist Marc-Antoine Godin on an episode of the Radio Canada podcast Tellement HockeyKnies was a player that Trevor Timmins and his recruiting team were interested in.

“He’s a guy that CH had on their radar when they decided on Mailloux,” revealed Godin. According to our information, if it wasn’t Logan, Knies was next.”

Mailloux was selected 31st overall by the Habs that year, so Knies had to be patient, eventually being taken 57th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs late in the second round.

Knies made the jump to the pros last year after an outstanding season in the NCAA that saw him named a finalist for the Hobey-Baker Trophy, awarded to the college circuit’s MVP.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound forward scored 35 points, including 15 goals, in 80 games with the Maple Leafs this season and added three points, including two goals, in seven playoff games.

Mailloux is not to be outdone, however, as he played in the American League All-Star Game and picked up his first National Hockey League point in the Canadiens’ final game of the season. Mailloux was convicted in Sweden the year he was drafted for sharing a sexual photo of a woman without her consent. He has since rehabilitated himself enough for the NHL to give him the green light to play in their ranks.

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