Suspicious Matthew Knies Contract Activity Sparks Speculation About Maple Leafs Next Move

Confusion is had as Matthew Knies posted, and later deleted, a reference to his reported six-year contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs, posted to his Instagram titled "6 More Leafs Nation"

Knies originally posted the photo after it was reported that the 22-year-old has signed for six-years at $7.75M annually.

It was noticed that Knies later deleted the Instagram post, with it being unclear as to why it was gone, with some noting the Leafs haven't confirmed the deal as of yet.

It's possible that the deal hasn't been finalized and approved by the league office, but makes it unclear as to why Knies deleted it unless he was asked to.

While the move was reported in the media, it's made fans confused as the four-year extension of John Tavares has been confirmed by Toronto, but not the reported new deal for Knies.

Nothing seeks to indicate the deal falling apart beyond Knies deleting his post and the Leafs not posting the deal as official, but it's of little worry as it appears from reporters that the deal will go through.

The move could just be the team having to finalize certain details, or perhaps even a shift in focus as the Leafs work out the reported sign-and-trade involving Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were linked to Nicolas Hague as a potential return piece for Marner, but last night Hague was traded to the Nashville Predators.

It's not clear if Marner's negotiations over a sign-and-trade have anything to do with Knies' deal not being announced by Toronto, but the Leafs have been tight-lipped ahead of free agency on July 1st, concerning some fans over whether or not they'll see Knies re-signed by then, and risk a potential offer sheet.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be looking to avoid the possibility that the worst comes to fruition and they end up without Marner and Marchand, and risk not having Knies.

Teams will surely be swimming for a potential offer sheet for Knies, who had 29 goals and 58 points this season, making him a prime target to get a hold of.

James Mirtle indicated that Matthew Knies wants to be a Toronto Maple Leaf, and has no intention of leaving the City of Toronto, meaning that even in the case of an offer sheet he may still refuse to sign.

All the Toronto Maple Leafs can hope for now is the case that the Knies deal is just a complicated contract that despite having certain areas to finish out, the framework is completed and for the next six years, Matthew Knies will remain a Toronto Maple Leaf.