Prospect Info: 2021 2nd Rd Pick (#57 OA) - Matthew Knies (LW) - Tri-City (USHL)

[BertCorbeau]

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[LastWordArmy]

A late-2002 birthday, Matthew Knies was expected to take another step in the USHL with Tri-City Storm. Many analysts saw him as a possible first-round pick heading into this season. Unfortunately, Knies started to slip down the rankings due to a slow start and lack of production. However, he managed to salvage something and really came on down the stretch with 23 points in his last 15 games. Knies put up 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points in 44 games this year. Despite Tri-City losing in the first round, Knies stayed hot in the playoffs with a goal and three assists for four points in three games.

2021 NHL Draft #57: Matthew Knies Scouting Report

 

[93LEAFS]

Good pick. Hockey Prospect had an A grade on him and ranked him 13th overall.

 

[hamzarocks]

Haven't followed the draft at all? What is this guy's ceiling, playstyle and comparable as well as ETA?

Left winger is good as we don't have those at the NHL level currently

 

[Peasy]

Great pick for this range. Exactly what we need.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Wait .. He's over 6' tall

 

[bentharbs]

He’s from AZ, getting started on the AM recruiting early.

 

[HarrisonFord]

Called it

I’ve got my eye on Knies at 56

from July 8th lol

 

[William Hylander]

Knies pick

 

[BertCorbeau]

A late-2002 birthday, Matthew Knies was expected to take another step in the USHL with Tri-City Storm. Many analysts saw him as a possible first-round pick heading into this season. Unfortunately, Knies started to slip down the rankings due to a slow start and lack of production. However, he managed to salvage something and really came on down the stretch with 23 points in his last 15 games. Knies put up 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points in 44 games this year. Despite Tri-City losing in the first round, Knies stayed hot in the playoffs with a goal and three assists for four points in three games.

2021 NHL Draft #57: Matthew Knies Scouting Report

I like the idea of taking a guy that peaks as the season goes on.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

A big kid at 6’3, 205. Nice. Was supposedly a possible first rounder to start the year in the eyes of many scouts. Can’t complain, here.

 

[Deebo]

Called it




from July 8th lol

Nice job

 

[SprDaVE]

For those interested:

 

[FrankGallagher]

Love this pick, had a first round grade on him. Could be our Killorn someday

 

[Cor]

Matthew Knies at eliteprospects.com

"The way Knies establishes body positioning drives his value in every dimension of the game. He tries to be first on every puck at all costs, getting his leg in front of his opponent’s, then coming across their body with his hips to seal off the defender. Some off-puck awareness makes Knies a bit of a scoring threat, hunting space after passing. -EliteProspects 2021 NHL Draft Guide"

 

[hockeynorth]

Is he a physical player? Or just a big guy?

 

[htpwn]

 

[LeafsandSharksfan]

Seems like 3rd Line Winger who plays PK is the upside?

 

[Morgs]

I'm not in love with it, but I had him 53rd so it's a good pick in my book. Models obviously love it because he had great production on a non-stacked team in the USHL two years in a row. Just needs to get much better (especially his skating) at a top-tier University next year where he'll be fighting for minutes.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Probably not the best player available, but he brings a lot of what the Leafs don't have in their prospect pool. There's a lot to like about him

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Great pick. Knies was one of my favorite players in this draft. I had him at 33, but I think he has top 15 potential. He didn't have the season that could've elevated him higher and he didn't show improvement on his biggest weaknesses. I think he has the talent to be a top 15 player in this draft eventually.

Knies is a big winger with a lot of skill and he's also pretty hard working and physical. He'll go to the net, even though he has perimeter puck skills. I think he's a talented playmaker and goal scorer. His biggest problem is his skating. It's below average. If he gets it to average, he'll be a top six winger, and could be a top line winger. He's very comparable to Matt Boldy from the 2019 draft, but Boldy's a more effective skater. Boldy is the comparable if Knies has a great trajectory for the next few seasons.

Knies also didn't have the best draft season. He was very inconsistent. Started terribly from a statistical standpoint, but finished great. Even during the weak start statistically, I thought he was playing well. He also dealt with an injury during the season. With a good season, he would not have available where the Leafs took him.

 

[Alamo Leafer]

He’s from AZ, getting started on the AM recruiting early.

exactly, get Matthews someone who can speak Arizona.

 

[bentharbs]

exactly, get Matthews someone who can speak Arizona.

 

[SprDaVE]

Is he a physical player? Or just a big guy?

He's more of a puck hound than a protoypical physical player, but I would say yes.

 

[tmlfan98]

Honestly reading his scouting report and seeing some highlights kind of reminds me of a bigger Zach Hyman.