There's one trait that Matthew Knies has yet to really showcase that could unlock a new dynamic that would make him a lot more dangerous - a meaner streak.
Matthew Knies is many things - a physical presence, a scoring threat, a burgeoning leader, and someone who is no doubt a focal point of the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup. A unique blend of speed and strength, he's already made his mark as one of the top power forwards in the entire NHL.
Coming off a 66-point season that was hindered a bit by a knee injury, Knies still managed to post career highs in points and assists, while also helping to be a leader while dealing with Auston Matthews being put on the shelf.
But in his unique skillset, there's a facet he hasn't really factored into his style that could help him become a genuinely terrifying presence on the ice - a bit of a mean streak.
It's not to say that Knies needs to start fighting people, no. But Alex Brownscombe's player preview of Knies did bring up an interesting point:
The physical component, in particular, needs to take another step. This doesn't mean Knies needs to run around looking for fights every night. But for a player with his size and strength, there should be a noticeable physical impact on games.
We'll get to the more aggressive aspect of Knies' game down below, but he also just has to be tougher to play against. He needs to exhaust players, wear down defenders in front of the net, win puck battles and be a nuisance in front of the net - as Brownscombe believes:
Knies should be exhausting to play against. He should be consistently winning space around the net. He should be extending possessions below the goal line. He should be leaning on defensemen over the course of a game.
He's right. Knies is 6-foot-3, 230 pounds. That's already a big human being but putting him on skates makes him taller and even more imposing. There should be no reason that Knies can't bully everyone around him considering he already proved he can shake off guys bigger than him.
Not too many players in the NHL can offer the amount of size, speed, and skill that Knies can bring, and he's not your typical winger - he's built like a defenceman but plays with the speed of a forward; that's scary for opposing teams.
Knies can become the player that opponents think twice about
What's even scarier though is if Knies can develop a bit more of a mean streak. Knies is already an intimidating presence so if he becomes a bit more aggressive - he could truly become one of a kind. He isn't afraid to fight, but he doesn't necessarily jump to be the first person to get into the fray. He'll get involved if provoked, but prefers to do his damage on the scoreboard.
When games get heavier, Knies should be one of the players Toronto can rely on to answer physically, by finishing checks, protecting space around the net and making opponents work for every puck.
No one wants to have a 6-foot-3, 230 pound angry giant targeting them, and if opponents know that Knies will step in the second they try anything suspicious then it could deter them from trying altogether knowing what the consequences may be.
This is also much different from having a specific enforcer who comes in and wants to cause havoc. It's adding a new dimension to a player who is already a top-six star, and giving him another asset to use that can benefit both his and the team's success. It's one thing to have a fighter - it's another to have one who can also change the game offensively and defensively.
The next level for Knies may have less to do with adding another 10 points and more to do with making his size matter on every shift. If he can extend possessions, own the front of the net and wear down defenders consistently, Toronto gets a power forward who can influence playoff games even when he is not scoring.
Do you think Matthew Knies needs to be a meaner player for the Toronto Maple Leafs?
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