Matthew Knies Addresses Offer Sheet Possibility Ahead of Crucial Offseason Decision

Currently a restricted free agent, Knies is able to be swooped up by any of the other 31 teams except the Toronto Maple Leafs in the form of an offer sheet, putting the Leafs in the situation to either match it or let Knies walk for compensation picks.

The move was done two-fold last offseason by the St. Louis Blues, who swooped in to the Edmonton Oilers and picked up foward Dylan Holloway and defenseman Philip Broberg after the Oilers declined to match their offer sheets.

Both Holloway and Broberg became key assets to the Blues this season who were pivotal in staging a surprise surge into the playoffs are being a basement team for the first half of the season.

Holloway in particular exploded in St. Louis with 26 goals and 63 points in 77 games in the regular season, increasing the idea that teams seeing that growth may look to poach potential RFA's as well, and Knies could be one of them.

Toronto already faces the worries of the re-signing of Mitch Marner and John Tavares to deal with, and if they don't sign with the Leafs, they'll be pressed to find replacements.

That potentially further leaves Knies in the wait and could expose him to be the target of an offer sheet.

Despite the potential of an offer sheet, Matthew Knies has affirmed he wishes for his future to be in Toronto.

Speaking to reporters at the team's end-of-season event, Knies said his goal was to stay as a Leaf and get a new contract, showcasing that an offer sheet isn't where he is looking to go.

Knies, 22, has 29 goals and 58 points in 78 games this season for Toronto, quickly becoming a key forward for the Leafs in his second full NHL season.

Matthew Knies indicates his goal to stay, but the Toronto Maple Leafs working out an unsure cap situation will not have Knies as the team's top priority unless the gap between the team and his agent aren't too different, but teams will be hungry for a potential top offer sheet candidate.

A projection for Knies could net the Leafs some serious draft capital, including two first round picks, the prospect pool lacking in top assets for Toronto.

At this point, it looks like Matthew Knies wants to stay in Toronto, and the Leafs most certainly would want Knies back as well.

But there will be a near guarantee that many teams will be monitoring the Leafs situation unafraid to pounce on one of the league's top young wingers.