Matthew Knies Reveals the NHL Star He Models His Game After: 'That's Who I Try to Play Like'
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies revealed on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast that he tries to emulate his game after a couple of heavy hitters: Mikko Rantanen and Tom Wilson.
There are a lot of expectations surrounding the Maple Leafs this season considering they are going to have to do so without Mitch Marner.
So it'll be up to a cast of new faces and old friends banding together towards the ultimate goal, and with the additions made this season there's a good chance the team can finally push through; though it won't be easy.
Signing a huge six-year, $46.5-million contract extension this summer, he's part of the team's long-term plans, and only good things seemingly lie ahead for the youngster.
Matthew Knies is expected to be a big part of the offense, and after breaking out last season he's ready to do more damage, and if his recent comments are any indicator: He's ready to explode offensively.
Matthew Knies' on-ice heroes give Leafs fans high hopes
Speaking on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast, Knies talked about a variety of topics including his thoughts for the upcoming season as well as the loss of Marner and how it affected him.
But when asked about who he tries to emulate on the ice, he gave a very surprising yet intriguing answer:
I don't think there's a good answer for it you know? A guy I like to look at is Mikko Rantanen.
He's a bigger player, he's strong on his skates, he scores, he moves the puck well, he's poised, like that's the kind of player I'd love to obviously be but you know, I don't have the skill or potential.
I think he's next level, and I think that hopefully within the next few years I can try to get near that but yeah, you know extremely skilled.
I think with my size, I think I play a little more physical than he does, so there's not really a guy; maybe Tom Wilson.
It's hard to kind of pinpoint a player, but I think having [Craig] Berube, you know, really help me find something I'm good at, and just being able to be consistent is going to be huge for me.
Getting more years with him behind the bench is going to be very beneficial for me.
He's a bigger player, he's strong on his skates, he scores, he moves the puck well, he's poised, like that's the kind of player I'd love to obviously be but you know, I don't have the skill or potential.
I think he's next level, and I think that hopefully within the next few years I can try to get near that but yeah, you know extremely skilled.
I think with my size, I think I play a little more physical than he does, so there's not really a guy; maybe Tom Wilson.
It's hard to kind of pinpoint a player, but I think having [Craig] Berube, you know, really help me find something I'm good at, and just being able to be consistent is going to be huge for me.
Getting more years with him behind the bench is going to be very beneficial for me.
Matthew Knies: A third straight breakout season?
It's a great insight into how Knies views the game, and if he can become a combination of Rantanen and Wilson then Toronto is in for an absolute treat.
Rantanen is one of the best players in the world and for the last decade has been as dominant as ever in both the regular season and playoffs. He's averaged nearly 29 goals so far in his career, along with stellar defense and hockey IQ.
Wilson, for all his criticism for how he plays, is notoriously successful and one of the best pure power forwards in the league.
Able to score 20-25 goals a season, while giving you 200+ hits and a mean streak a mile long, he's someone you love to have on your side, and hate to see play against you.
If Knies can take his skillset and fine tune the smaller things (defense, wall play, positioning) then he'll be able to turn into an even better player, and could reach 40-50 goals at some point in his career.
It's hard to imagine a player who broke out last season break out again, and considering his first season was extremely successful in terms of impact, making it a three-peat is a tall order.
But Knies is 6'3, quite the tall order himself.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 24 | 2151 ANSWERS Matthew Knies Reveals the NHL Star He Models His Game After: 'That's Who I Try to Play Like' Will Matthew Knies hit 40 goals this season with the Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 1258 | 58.5 % |
| No | 893 | 41.5 % |
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