Insider Reveals Expected Timeline for Matthew Knies and John Tavares Deals With Leafs
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
NHL Insider James Mirtle believes the Matthew Knies and John Tavares contract situation could be resolved as early as next week for the Maple Leafs.
With all the talk about where Mitch Marner is going to end up, the focus has to shift for the Maple Leafs and they need to lock up their star of the future as well as a franchise icon; that being John Tavares and Matthew Knies.
A Knies Day to be Matthew and John: Contract situation to be resolved soon
It's going to be an anxious two and a half weeks for Maple Leafs fans as they figure out which direction their team is going, and if they are able to at least keep two of their top contributors.
For NHL Insider James Mirtle, who was speaking on TSN 1050's First Up program, he believes the team and both players are working steadily on a deal and it could be a lot sooner than we thought:
The Leafs are confident they are going to get those done, especially Knies. Tavares too, I would say for both players it's coming up with the right number and Ould see something done before July 1, so you could see it happening next week or in a couple of weeks. - James Mirtle, TSN 1050
It's great news for a fanbase that has been wondering exactly what the future holds now that the Core 4 has been dismantled.
Matthew Knies is now in Mitch Marner's Core 4 spot
With Marner out of the picture now, it's up to Knies to step in and take his place as part of the Core 4, especially if Tavares is coming back.
He won't add the same level of playmaking, but he offers such a unique skillset that he'll be a force to be reckoned with for years to come, and with a new mentality in the front office; he's poised to shine bright.
According to Junior Scout and analytics darling Ryan Ma of 6ix on Ice, Knies has already been spectacular and projects to be a huge star for years to come.
Look for Knies to end up securing a three or five-year deal worth around $8M, and while that seems like a drastic overpayment, he's a superstar in the making and that deal will get better with a rising cap.
He broke out with 58 points (29G, 29A) in 78 games while adding 182 hits and a plus-7 in 18:31 TOI, which is nearly five minutes more than last year's output, and with his desire to stay as a Leaf long-term, could end up being a franchise icon at the end of things.
Speaking of iconic players, John Tavares coming back to finish off his career in Toronto would be a storybook ending. There are reports he could be offered a long-term deal at a very steep discount, but essentially securing his future until he retires.
Still putting up fantastic offensive numbers even at 34. In 75 games he scored 74 points (38G, 36A) which is the second-highest goal total since signing. Tavares also added 45 blocks, 92 hits and a plus-10 rating in 18:14 TOI.
He could end up getting a deal similar to Yanni Gourde's, where he signs for five or six years at a value of roughly $3-3.5M. That would give him a very solid final deal, and give him a chance to compete with his childhood team until the bitter end.
Bringing both men back long-term will give Toronto a new Core 4 to build around, and with a game plan in mind to add some grittier and more productive playoff performers, it could be the exact thing the team needs to make that push.
Their homegrown star and the hometown vet; it's almost too perfect.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 11 | 412 ANSWERS Insider Reveals Expected Timeline for Matthew Knies and John Tavares Deals With Leafs Do you think Matthew Knies and John Tavares will sign extensions next week? | ||
| Yes | 366 | 88.8 % |
| No | 46 | 11.2 % |
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