The Toronto Maple Leafs need to re-sign Matthew Knies as soon as possible before he might get signed away, but one insider believes that a deal is done regardless.
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 very unlikely Matthew Knies gets offer-sheeted this summer. There's no question he wants to remain a Leaf for the foreseeable future.
The playoffs are the focus right now, but when contract talks escalate, a mid-range deal seems like the most likely outcome.
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It's When, Not If, For Matthew Knies' Contract Extension
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.