Insider Provides Update on Potential Offer Sheet for Leafs Rising Star Matthew Knies

While the attention is focused heavily on Mitch Marner and John Tavares' next contracts, there's one key player still needing a deal, that being Matthew Knies. Being unique and highly skilled, showing signs of superstardom in his second season, the sky's the limit for the winger.

There's a high potential he gets an offer sheet or two this free agency due to his RFA status, and he's going to command a lot of money on an offer if he does. However, if you are to believe one NHL insider, he's not going anywhere.

It's been quite the season for Knies, and with him being one of only three players in the NHL with 25+ goals and 150+ hits, he's shown that not only can he make a difference offensively, but he's such a strong, intimidating presence that doesn't mind finishing a check even if he's on offense.

It's that unique blend of power, speed, and scoring that makes him so dangerous, and his emergence as a true top line forward alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner has been nothing short of impressive considering how short of a time he's been in the NHL.

In 71 games, Knies has 51 points (26G, 25A) and isn't just known for shooting the puck, and has a quietly solid playmaking game given his strength and ability to keep the puck and create chances.

But his next deal is going to cost a lot, and for good reason. There are some speculating that he can make upwards of $9M per season; a staggering amount but will eventually depreciate into a better deal as the salary cap rises.

He's also already getting a lot of attention outside the hockey world as well, and recently signed a brand ambassador deal with Adidas Canada, a huge step towards some more lucrative endorsements in the future.

The playoffs need to come and go first, but a strong showing from not only Knies, but the Maple Leafs as a whole will go a long way in determining whether or not the team has a chance to keep Marner, Tavares, and Knies without compromising the future again.

But whatever the case, whether he gets a deal done now, or before July 1; there's no denying that Matthew Knies is a unicorn amongst the ranks of the Maple Leafs, and they need to keep their mythical beast locked up, lest he come back to haunt the team for years to come.