The Toronto Maple Leafs are turning to forward Matthew Knies to help fill the significant offensive void left by Mitch Marner this season. In June, the team traded Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Nicolas Roy. Marner subsequently signed a massive eight-year, $96 million contract with Vegas. The Leafs now face the challenge of replacing Marner’s consistent scoring production with Knies, who recently secured a six-year, $46.5 million deal with Toronto.
Knies’ Growing Role and Performance Under New Coaching
Last season, Knies demonstrated promising offensive skills by scoring 29 goals and accumulating 58 points over 78 regular-season games. In addition, he contributed seven points during 13 playoff appearances. Under first-year Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube, Knies saw his average ice time increase to more than 18 minutes per game. Over his <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/hockey/nhl/”>NHL career, Knies has amassed 94 points in 161 games, signaling his development into a key player for the team.
Long-Term Commitment Signaled on Marner Trade Day
Knies signed his contract extension on the very day Mitch Marner was traded, emphasizing his desire to remain a long-term asset for the Maple Leafs. He expressed that a shorter-term bridge contract was not something he considered, preferring instead a deal aligned with his career progression.
“I just wanted to be here as long as possible, really. I wanted a longer term,” Knies said about his six-year deal, via NHL.com. “This deal fit with my trajectory as a player, this was kind of the sweet spot for both of us.
“…I don’t think the bridge deal was in my head, I really wanted to go long term.”
Analyst Praise and Management’s Confidence in Knies
NHL analyst Michael Russo highlighted Knies’ potential to offset the Leafs’ expected loss in production without Marner during a recent podcast. He called Knies “on the rise” and praised Toronto for offering him a long-term contract at a reasonable price compared to Marner’s deal.
“Yeah. I mean, that is the million-dollar question,” Russo said about Leafs expected drop potential without Mitch Marner. “A lot of it might be up to Matthew Knies, right? I mean, he is on the rise.
“They (Leafs) gave him the new six-year deal this offseason that, you know, I thought (was) a really quality price. To get him at six years less than eight, when he has real, true superstar potential. I think that was a huge, huge signing for them.”
Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving also expressed optimism about Knies, noting that he is “just scratching the surface” of his capabilities and likely to grow into an even more impactful player.
Outlook for the Maple Leafs’ Upcoming Season
With Marner’s departure, the Maple Leafs will depend heavily on Mitch Marner replacement Matthew Knies to contribute offensively and help maintain the team’s competitiveness. Knies’ recent contract and increasing game time reflect Toronto’s confidence in his ability to develop into a key figure on the roster. His progression will be vital to the Leafs as they navigate the pressures of the new NHL season without one of their top scorers.