Matthew Knies, a 22-year-old rising star for the Toronto Maple Leafs, has agreed to a six-year contract extension worth $46.5 million, ensuring his role as a key power forward with the team through the 2030-31 season. The deal, signed on Sunday, avoids restricted free agency and any speculation about offer sheets, solidifying Knies’s presence in Toronto’s lineup as he continues to impress during the NHL playoffs.
This new agreement comes with a salary cap hit of $7.75 million per year, a figure situated between comparable contracts like Minnesota’s Matt Boldy and Dallas’s Wyatt Johnston, signaling a fair value that could prove to be a bargain if Knies’s performance climbs as expected.
Rapid Development Marks Knies as a Leaf to Watch
Matthew Knies has been recognized as one of the fastest to mature among recent Toronto draft picks, often compared to the caliber of teammate Auston Matthews, who is also from Arizona. His physical stature—standing six-foot-three and weighing 227 pounds—combined with his speed and power, have made him a formidable force on the ice, capable of aggressive forechecking and a strong net-front presence.
Coach Craig Berube praised Knies for his breakout 2024-25 season, where the young forward scored 29 goals and tallied 58 points, becoming one of the season’s most pleasant surprises. His growing confidence and skill have marked him as indispensable to the Maple Leafs’ future plans.
Team Voices Praise for Knies’s Character and Growth
Veteran teammates and management alike admire Knies’s maturity and work ethic. Steve Lorentz, a teammate, remarked on Knies’s surprising composure for his age, explaining,
“I still forget how young he is, because he hangs out with the older guys,”
and continued,
“He’s very mature for his age. But he’s such a good pro. He works hard in the gym. He’s an honest guy. He keeps himself light. Like, he’s just down to earth. And he doesn’t take the job too seriously — in a good way. For a young guy, it can get stressful at times, especially in a big market like this.”
General Manager Brad Treliving also acknowledged Knies’s progression, stating,
“Matthew is just realizing how big and strong he is, and he’s getting more comfortable,”
and added,
“He’s sort of grown right in front of our eyes. So, he’s a big part of our team now (and will) continue to be moving forward. And he’s a unique player. You know, that’s a big, strong man at 22 years old.”
Management Rejects Trade Offers to Keep Knies in Toronto
Rumors arose that the Carolina Hurricanes proposed including Knies in a trade package for Mikko Rantanen at the trade deadline, but the Leafs firmly declined, emphasizing his value to the franchise. Coach Berube even compared Knies to legendary American power forwards such as Keith Tkachuk, Bill Guerin, and John LeClair, highlighting the unique blend of size, strength, and skill he brings to the ice.
The contract extension also benefits from the financial flexibility created by Mitch Marner’s upcoming contract expiration. This clarity in salary cap outlook enabled the Leafs’ management to offer Knies a six-year extension rather than a shorter, less costly bridge deal.
Knies Expresses Commitment to Toronto’s Championship Aspirations
Knies has consistently expressed his dedication to the Maple Leafs. On May 20, he dismissed any ideas that he might pursue an offer sheet elsewhere, affirming his loyalty to the team’s vision.
“I want to be here. I want to play here. That’s all that really matters to me,”
he said, also emphasizing his belief in the team‘s potential,
“I love everyone in this locker room. There’s really a chance to win here. I think that there are the guys in this room to win.”
With such passion and steady development, Matthew Knies has solidified his position as a cornerstone for Toronto’s forward group and a player to watch closely as the team aims for success in the coming seasons.