Prior to the season, THN commissioned a poll of its writers and editors regarding many questions about the 2023-24 regular season – and one of those questions was, “Which player will have a breakout season?” This writer’s response to that question was Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs. And while he didn’t set the league on fire during the regular season, Knies has emerged as a key component of the Leafs’ blueprint for success thanks to his playoff impact.
It isn’t just that Knies has contributed two goals and three points in Toronto’s six games against Boston in their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series that makes him so valuable. It’s his willingness to be physical, and his all-out drive to win puck races and puck battles. He’s not afraid to stand up for himself and his teammates, and he’s not afraid to let opponents know what he thinks of them.
Matthew Knies laughs it up with David Pastrňák 😆 pic.twitter.com/ZHRx4L9OaG
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 1, 2024
At only 21 years old, Knies is just beginning what projects to be a stellar NHL career, and he’s a massive financial bargain for years to come. Indeed, considering that Knies is playing on a rookie contract that locks him in at a $925,000 salary this year and next season, he’s clearly one of the most cost-effective players in the world. If Leafs GM Brad Treliving knows what’s good for him, he’ll figure out a way to get Knies’ name on a long-term contract extension with mid-range money – say, something in the $5-6-million per season range, for five or six years – when Knies becomes an RFA in 2025.
Knies is only scratching the surface of what he’s capable of, but that kind of money would be well-spent on a guy who legitimately could evolve into one-quarter of Toronto’s “Core Four” once captain John Tavares takes a step back on the ice and in the salary cap department.
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You see Knies out there, swooping into the play with his long and purposeful strides, and you think this is what the modern day NHL power forward should look like. The Leafs did a good job of protecting him in his first full year – Knies averaged a little bit more than 13 minutes per game, in 80 games – and Knies responded by posting 15 goals and 35 points. His time-on-ice average has risen to approximately 14-and-a-half minutes in the playoffs, and it’s readily apparent that Knies is giving the Leafs every reason to put him out, and keep him out on the ice.
Some might say Knies looks like a John LeClair in the making. Or maybe an Owen Nolan. He’s capable of getting to that 30-goal plateau and being ferocious as a physical force. And he can be that guy who steps up with direly-needed playoff goals. You can see Knies’ confidence rising every game. If you had to give him a letter grade for his NHL career thus far, you’d have to say at least a B+ to an A-, right? Not perfect, but unquestionably above-average, and thriving playing in the hockey fishbowl that is Toronto. Knies is a bona-fide player to keep your eyes on, and no whether or not the Leafs win Game 7 against Boston on Saturday, Knies has done enough in this post-season to cement himself as a crucial part of the Leafs’ short-term and future.
It may not be long at all until we see Knies as one of the Leafs’ most well-rounded players. Knies is still acclimating to hockey’s top league, but if you’re talking about Leafs untouchables, you have to put him on the list. Knies is on the precipice of being a star, and the momentum he’s building in these playoffs will help propel him into the next level of elite NHL wingers.
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News Summary:
- Budding Leafs Star Knies' Round 1 Heroics Making Him Fixture in Team's Present and Future
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