Maple Leafs Secure Matthew Knies with Multi-Year Extension
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to secure their future by signing a six-year extension with forward Matthew Knies, a deal with an average annual value of $7.75 million.
The news was confirmed by sources and later announced by the player himself on social media.
Knies, originally from Phoenix, Arizona, was a restricted free agent next month. This long-term agreement secures one of last season’s key skaters and a fundamental piece of the forward group going forward. In addition, it avoids any concerns about a possible offer for Knies if he had become a restricted free agent.
This signing comes after Toronto secured its star center, John Tavares, with a four-year contract that includes an average annual value of $4.38 million. This demonstrates the desire of general manager Brad Treliving to retain as many of the team’s free agents as possible.
Knies, 22, comes from a standout season with the Maple Leafs. Playing primarily on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, Knies scored 29 goals and added 58 points in 78 games, averaging 18:31 minutes of ice time per game. In addition, he contributed on the team’s power play unit and was a crucial presence on the penalty kill. In the playoffs, Knies added five goals (the second-highest on the team) and seven points in 13 games. He also became the only Leafs player to accumulate 29 goals and 180 hits in a single season.
Given Knies’ age, the six-year deal should provide Toronto with some of his best career years. Keeping Knies on the team will help minimize some of the expected fallout from Marner’s almost certain departure from the club, whether through free agency or a sign-and-trade scenario.
In any case, Knies’ importance to the future of the Leafs cannot be overstated, and the contract reflects the commitment of both parties to make it prosperous.
