The Toronto Maple Leafs’ season ended in Boston once again last year. While it was a disappointing conclusion, adding to the long history of tough playoff series for this core, there were some positives. One notable bright spot was young forward Matthew Knies, who emerged as a key player for the Maple Leafs.
Knies played 80 games, scoring 15 goals and recording 20 assists for a total of 35 points in his first full NHL season. During the playoffs, he participated in all seven games against Boston, scoring two goals, including the game-five overtime winner, and adding an assist for three points in the series (all stats from NHL.com).
Although his point totals weren’t extraordinary, he stood out during the playoffs. He engaged physically and, despite having a few rookie moments, he played with a maturity beyond his regular-season performance.
The Toronto Maple Leafs Should Lock Up Knies Before a Breakout
Given his development, Knies could be a breakout candidate this upcoming season. Teams often take risks with young talent, locking them into big deals before their breakout year. For instance, the Montreal Canadiens signed Juraj Slafkovsky to an eight-year deal with an average annual value of $7.6 million, and the Leafs themselves signed Joseph Woll to a three-year deal with an AAV of $3.66 million (salary statistics from PuckPedia.com).
While these deals carry risks, they can secure top talents long-term, potentially resulting in contracts that look like bargains once players reach their prime. With the Leafs’ current cap structure, they need to take some calculated gambles on deals. The approach taken with Woll’s contract is promising, and a similar strategy could work well for Knies. If Knies is open to it, GM Brad Treliving should consider locking him up before the season begins.
Knies is in the final year of his entry-level deal and will be a restricted free agent after this season. Signing him to a long-term deal now, possibly at an AAV of around $4 to $4.5 million, could be beneficial. Securing him at a lower AAV before he has fully proven himself is a smart way to add a productive forward at a reasonable cost. If he doesn’t perform up to the contract, the risk is manageable. With the cap expected to rise each year, that cap hit will become more manageable over time.
Knies has shown potential as a strong, physical forward, and at 21, he is not intimidated by the league’s stars. Locking him in now could save Treliving money on a crucial deal in the future.