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Shocking Contract Comparable for Pending RFA Forward Matthew Knies Emerges
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
A top NHL analyst has suggested that pending restricted free agent Matt Boldy could look for a deal with the Leafs similar to that of Matt Boldy's deal with the Wild.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will have several key decisions to make when it comes to the futures of John Tavares, Mitch Marner and Steven Lorentz; all three players are set to become unrestricted free agents.
As far as restricted free agents are concerned, Leafs forward Matthew Knies is also up for a new contract. He's enjoyed a true coming out season for the Leafs, reaching a career-best 25 goals.
But what kind of deal would he be willing to accept? Per analyst Nick Kypreos, Knies could hope for a similar deal to that signed by Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy, a 7-year, $49 million contract with an AAV (average annual value) of $7 million.
And if they try to go long, someone like Boldy might end up being the right comp. He signed a seven-by-seven deal two years ago when he was halfway through a 31-goal, 63-point sophomore campaign.
He's not quite the mutant that Knies is and doesn't bring the same level of physicality, but some size and power forward-ish ability is there. Boldy's point totals are notably north of Knies', however, so you can argue that factoring in the cap bump could mean seven by seven might make sense for the young Arizonan.
He's not quite the mutant that Knies is and doesn't bring the same level of physicality, but some size and power forward-ish ability is there. Boldy's point totals are notably north of Knies', however, so you can argue that factoring in the cap bump could mean seven by seven might make sense for the young Arizonan.
Boldy has emerged as one of the most important players for the Wild, having scored 63 and 69 points in the last consecutive years. Meanwhile, he's got 60 points this year (23G, 37A) in 72 games.
For Knies, he figures to be one of the most important players on the Leafs for years to come as his NHL career is still in its relative infancy.
But will GM Brad Treliving be willing to commit a long-term deal to Knies this early in his career, or will he try and get him to settle for a bridge-style deal?
| POLL | ||
MARS 28 | 528 ANSWERS Shocking Contract Comparable for Pending RFA Forward Matthew Knies Emerges Will the Leafs have any difficulty re-signing Matthew Knies? | ||
| Yes | 142 | 26.9 % |
| No | 386 | 73.1 % |
| List of polls | ||