Matthew Knies treating his high trade value like an absolute insult is exactly what Toronto needs
Photo credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
Matthew Knies is refusing to leave the Toronto Maple Leafs, even if his trade value is at its absolute highest.
The fanbase has been desperately looking for a firm commitment and their young star just stepped up and delivered the exact raw loyalty this city has been begging for.
When asked if he took his high value in the recent trade rumors as a compliment, Matthew Knies treated the question like an absolute insult. Instead of feeding his own ego, the 23-year-old winger shot the narrative down with pure defiance.
Knies explicitly told the media that he views the rumors as a "crappy thing" because he absolutely refuses to leave this group of guys.
I wouldn’t want to look at it as a compliment, I’d look at it as a crappy thing. I don’t want to leave this group of guys… it doesn’t really matter what it was. I wouldn’t want to leave here. - Matthew Knies
While the regular media is focused on the team missing the playoffs the hardcore insiders are looking at the dressing room culture.
The winger was linked to numerous teams at the deadline including the rival montreal canadiens but knies proving he bleeds blue and white is the exact catalyst the incoming front office needs.
Why treating a high trade compliment like an absolute insult proves he is the future
A lot of players love hearing how much they are worth on the open market because it boosts their ego. Knies completely rejected that.
He does not care about his individual value he only cares about staying in Toronto and fighting with this specific locker room. That blunt honesty completely shifts the mentality of this Leafs team.
It proves to the loyal fans that the young guys actually care about winning here. he is entirely invested in the current room and that gritty team first mentality is exactly what the franchise needs moving forward
Matthew Knies has committed to the Toronto Maple Leafs harder than most anybody, and showing openly his goal is to stay.
A disappointing bottom five finish hasn't been enough for Knies to demand out, and his loyalty is proof for the Leafs to build around their young star rather than move him for parts.
Most trade rumors involving Knies involved prospects and picks, and while valuable, the value of Knies may only be worth an established top veteran piece.
To have a young talent of Knies' loyalty will make Toronto all the more clear that their future should remain with him rather than without.
How the incoming front office can use this raw loyalty to make him completely untouchable
The media is still trying to figure out what pieces the Leafs should move this summer but the new boardroom needs to draw a hard line with Knies.
When a new general manager walks in and sees a heavy physical player who genuinely loves the jersey and gets genuinely offended by the idea of leaving it makes the decision incredibly easy. You do not trade players who have this much heart.
The executives need to shut down the calls entirely lock him in as the ultimate untouchable asset and build the heavy new identity directly around
him.
him.
The Leafs retooling should have Matthew Knies be the last player out the door, and should be largely shut out from trade conversations.
For a Leafs team looking to contend, they'll need players with the pace and energy of Knies to balance the veteran Leafs lineup.
The offseason could be a way in adding young, ready players that can revitalize the team, and make their retooling a much more crafty and energetic one.
There's little reason to move a player of Knies' caliber entering his prime, and doing so would potentially make next season even more of a make-or-break, and Toronto would rather not be in that situation too greatly.
Any executive coming in to Toronto would want to avoid making Matthew Knies expendable, and not send the wrong signal to the team that their top youngster is for sale, casting doubt on their retooling plans.
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