Matthew Knies is playing his first game with the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight, and he is already making John Chayka reconsider his decision.
Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka chose Kirill Marchenko over Matthew Knies, and in the span of just one game, the general manager might be regretting that decision.
Tonight, Knies is in the Blue Jackets lineup for the very first time as his team takes on the Buffalo Sabres. In just a few short minutes, Knies made Chayka look completely foolish.
Matthew Knies gets some points on the board
Below, you can see that Knies got the party started early by scoring his first as a member of the Blue Jackets, and it was a complete beauty.
The kind of goal that is going to have Maple Leafs fans on their hands and knees in complete anguish over such a good player leaving the franchise.
-
Meanwhile, a few minutes later, Knies made Chayka look like a fool all over again, this time with a beauty of an assist that ended up in the back of the net.
-
Both of these points were examples of how Matthew Knies has always been a talented power forward and playmaker who excelled on the first line with Auston Matthews.
To matters worse, Knies scored a second goal, bringing his total to three points in one game.
-
There were times when Knies looked slow and out of shape during the preseason. Additionally, some believe the analytics are unkind to Knies as a partner for Matthews.
However, when you look at Marchenko with zero points and Knies with two, you can't help but think about what could have been, and if this will be a recurring issue throughout the season.
The Maple Leafs have made some bad decisions in the past, and it is too early to tell if this is going to be one of them. That said, it is not off to a great start.
If you're John Chayka, you can't help but be a bit annoyed at just how good Knies is looking in the early going.
Do you believe Matthew Knies made the right move with the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Maple Leafs make a final decision on trading Easton Cowan