Major Update on Matthew Knies' Contract Extension with the Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs hope to extend pending restricted free agent forward Matthew Knies, who has had an extremely productive start to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
While the Toronto Maple Leafs didn't get the result that they were looking for in their potential closeout game against the divisional foe Ottawa Senators, one of the positives they'll take into Game 5 is the performance of Matthew Knies.
The sophomore forward has increased his total to three goals in the opening four games of the Battle of Ontario, including last night's highlight-worthy goal in the 2nd period.
Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube, in his first year coaching Toronto and Knies, has enjoyed what he's seen from him so far in the postseason, especially last night's goal:
That is a lot of effort. He pulled away. He is a powerful guy. What really impressed me: It looked like he got in real tight on the goalie, but just pulling that puck back and getting it upstairs was a high-end goal by him.
Matthew Knies Impressing Maple Leafs Organization In Spades
Berube was then sure to say that not only has Knies impressed him, but the higher-ups within the Leafs organization and appeared to hint at an impending extension.
He keeps impressing me, along with everyone else in the organization. He is a very competitive player with a ton of talent, but it is his effort that drives him, in my opinion.
That is an effort play all day long - not quitting, beating his D up the ice, outskating him, outmuscling him, and the skill to do what he did to score the goal.
That is an effort play all day long - not quitting, beating his D up the ice, outskating him, outmuscling him, and the skill to do what he did to score the goal.
Knies is set to become a restricted free agent, which leaves the door open for a potential offer sheet from another club; the Leafs would almost certainly match it if that were to occur.
It was a breakout season to say the least for Knies, with 58 points in 78 games (29G, 29A) and he solidified himself as a huge part of the Maple Leafs future for years to come, and could etch his name in the history books when all is said and done.
His unique blend of speed, power, offense, and defense has given the Maple Leafs one of the NHL's 'unicorns'; a rare breed of player that often becomes elite, and very, very successful.
No doubt there will be lots of teams interested in Knies, however with his mind firmly set on staying in Toronto, it's only a matter of when, not if, he signs the contract.
| POLL | ||
MAI 1 | 493 ANSWERS Major Update on Matthew Knies' Contract Extension with the Maple Leafs Will the Maple Leafs have any difficulty re-signing RFA forward Matthew Knies? | ||
| Yes | 97 | 19.7 % |
| No | 396 | 80.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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