A Determined Matthew Knies Reveals What He Wants To Accomplish This Season
The Toronto Maple Leafs are gearing up for the upcoming season at all organizational levels. As part of the Maple Leafs prospects are participating in the Traverse City Prospect Tournament. During a media availability for the tournament, Matthew Knies spoke about his expectations for the upcoming season.
Knies Pushing To Make Roster
During his media availability, Knies was asked about any expectations for the upcoming year. His response might surprise you.
Knies was great in his limited time with the Maple Leafs last season. Due to his playoff run in the NHL, many believed he was essentially a lock for the NHL. In Knies' mind, he still has plenty to prove and earn and is working hard to get there.
Can Knies Make An Impact For The Maple Leafs?
Often small sample sizes are a dangerous thing to rely on when trying to evaluate a player. That being said Knies' production at the end of the 2022-23 season was outstanding considering he was thrown into a playoff race for his first action.
On top of his success in limited time in the NHL Knies was one of the best players in the NCAA last season. Knies won the Hobey Baker Award for best player in college hockey. He had 42 points in 40 games at the University of Minnesota. He also has the size to be able to survive in the NHL early on.
While it remains to be seen if Knies does in fact make the roster the odds are likely better than he lets on that he will be a Maple Leaf to start the year.
| POLL | ||
Will Matthew Knies win the Rookie of the Year? | ||
| Yes | 378 | 49.6 % |
| No | 384 | 50.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
