Knies rejects season-ending shutdown while shifting his 2026 summer plans: 'I don't know how he does it'
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Matthew Knies has 57 points, and a knee injury that isn't going to get worse but not get any better either. He also has 12 meaningless games left in a lost season.
The question every Maple Leafs fan is asking is the same: why is he still playing?
You'd never know that Knies was dealing with an injury as he has been one of the lone bright spots this season. The 23-year-old has 57 points in 66 games (18 goals, 39 assists) while adding 132 hits though is a ghastly minus-16, but really no one on Toronto is a plus this season.
Knies ditching Matthews and the Scottsdale summers for 2026 offseason workouts
But he is struggling with things a bit, and as the grind of the season continues, that injury issue can continue to grow. However, Knies seems sure that there's nothing that can keep him from the ice in 2026:
It's kind of an injury that I don't think it could get much worse. So I don't think that there's any risk for me playing.
It's obviously not comfortable playing through it, but everyone's playing through something, I feel like, at this time of year. So that's not really an excuse.
But, if it's not going to get worse, then there's no problem with me playing, then I'm going to play.
It's obviously not comfortable playing through it, but everyone's playing through something, I feel like, at this time of year. So that's not really an excuse.
But, if it's not going to get worse, then there's no problem with me playing, then I'm going to play.
Knies also explained that he is going to be taking his offseason training routine out of the Scottsdale heat and opting to make some changes to his workout without Auston Matthews:
It's too hot there. I don't know how he does it.
Matthews underwent surgery with a 12-week recovery timeline, and while he's used to the heat, Knies figured the best course of action was to opt for a cooler destination in the summer.
With 12 games left and nothing to play for, the Maple Leafs have no business risking Matthew Knies
It shows a great level of maturity from a player who is really only a couple of years in the league and knowing that he is going to be a focal point going forward means that getting things figured out early is a great way to keep the future as bright as possible.
Though it begs the question: With 12 games left, why is he still taking the ice?
If these games are a lost cause, then there's no reason to risk putting Knies out there to further aggravate it regardless of whether it gets worse or not.
Fans are perplexed to say the least:
It's bad when you are trying to tank essentially and still making needless decisions. The team could just sit Knies and let others take the charge. There's nothing to prove Matthew - you've been one of the best players on the team.
One factor that could be playing into his knee injury is his size, as he's quite hefty at 232 pounds (listed, though he could weigh more). He generates a lot of power but he also puts a lot of pressure on the lower half of his body; so we may see a leaner Knies come summertime.
That isn't a for sure however, and it could just be a case of wear and tear that went untreated throughout the year, though at this point anything is possible with these Maple Leafs.
For now, Knies will suit up and risk being injured in meaningless games for Toronto. Let's just hope they lose in score only, and not add another tally to the superstar injured list.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 20|1072 ANSWERS Knies rejects season-ending shutdown while shifting his 2026 summer plans: 'I don't know how he does it' Should the Maple Leafs sit Matthew Knies for the rest of the season? | ||
| Yes | 769 | 71.7 % |
| No | 303 | 28.3 % |
| List of polls | ||