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

[LeafChief]

The Leafs only really have 3 contract spots for the season. Knies and Abruzzese will be 2 for sure.

Koster can still be added, but if they are trying to chase Meyers like half the league, and who knows how it goes with Niemela and other EU prospects, they might need to leave that spot open in that case to try out another top prospect/player. Koster might just be added to the Marlies on an ATO for the season.

Meyers should be a priority over Koster. Koster could really use another year in the NCAA (and a much bigger role on that team) with some of the higher drafted defenceman currently ahead of him on the depth chart probably turning pro.

The only time he's really gotten a chance to shine has been WJ/Olympic break when those players have been away with the national team. Next year should be a real year of growth for him there.

 

[REALTALK81]

I would love for the Leafs to get a look at him during the regular season. He would bring a different wrinkle in to our offense. So far Bunting has worked and now we need someone for that 2nd line. Blackwell could do it in a pinch but you can never have too many hustle type players.

 

[Legion34]

If he signs will that burn a year or elc?
That would be monumentally stupid to not have him on an elc when Matty and willy are up.

 

[Puckstuff]

Blackwell?

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Knies-Tavares-Blackwell
Robertson-Kerfoot-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Mikheyev

 

[kb]

If he signs will that burn a year or elc?
That would be monumentally stupid to not have him on an elc when Matty and willy are up.

Not if he doesn't play 10 games. And it's probably going to be like Robertson in that respect - they didn't burn a year of his either.

 

[Legion34]

Not if he doesn't play 10 games. And it's probably going to be like Robertson in that respect - they didn't burn a year of his either.

Including playoffs?

 

[kb]

Including playoffs?

Yup. Once he plays the 10th game (reg season and playoffs), it's a year of ELC gone.

It does allow for a good look see.

 

[paulhiggins]

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Knies-Tavares-Blackwell
Robertson-Kerfoot-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Mikheyev

Nylander and his dad won't like that one bit.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

We could use a BIG FAST TOUGH winger with decent hands for playoff run .. does this kid play a heavy game? Can he grind out hits? Can he forecheck? Is he good on da wall digging pucks? These are da 4 big questions. If he can do those 4 things than worth a year ELC as he can help out now. But if he is only a big skater guy with skill and goals are his game he won't help.

 

[The Iceman]

We could use a BIG FAST TOUGH winger with decent hands for playoff run .. does this kid play a heavy game? Can he grind out hits? Can he forecheck? Is he good on da wall digging pucks? These are da 4 big questions. If he can do those 4 things than worth a year ELC as he can help out now. But if he is only a big skater guy with skill and goals are his game he won't help.

You won't find that heavy in many skillful 19 year olds. Still boy strong as a teen I suspect. he has the frame 6'3" frame to get there eventually which is why the team is so high on him. listed at 210 lbs so maybe give him a look-see.

I wouldn't expose him to the playoffs unless he really shined.

 

[Legion34]

Again if we realistically project him to be good. We need him. On ELC until Tavares runs out.

I expect JT to take a cut and that 5-8 million to be spread out among Matthews/marner/nylander/sandin/Lilly and knies.

Matty will need a 3ish raise. Willy probably 2? Marner will be about 1-2.

Muzz and Brodie’s 10’will be split among whatever D we have.

Letting knies become an RFA in the year thar we have Tavares taking up 11 is nuts

 

[HandshakeLineRespect]

Spezza, why? Why are you breaking up Engvall-Kampf-Mikheyev? Nylander and Tavares don't work together.

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Knies-Tavares-Anderson/Kase
Robertson-Kerfoot-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Mikheyev

Terrible lineup lol

 

[FlyingLeafus]

Again if we realistically project him to be good. We need him. On ELC until Tavares runs out.

I expect JT to take a cut and that 5-8 million to be spread out among Matthews/marner/nylander/sandin/Lilly and knies.

Matty will need a 3ish raise. Willy probably 2? Marner will be about 1-2.

Muzz and Brodie’s 10’will be split among whatever D we have.

Letting knies become an RFA in the year thar we have Tavares taking up 11 is nuts

If he's good enough to be a legit impact player now, then you do it. Burning a year of ELC kind of sucks, but getting him to RFA faster also likely means the bridge deal won't be as high as it would be otherwise (assuming he improves every year).

 

[Avilaj07]

Knies-Matthews-Marner
Bunting-Tavares-Blackwell
Kerfoot-Abruzzese-Nylander
Mikheyev-Kampf-Kase
Engvall/Spezza

 

[ULF_55]

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Knies-Tavares-Blackwell
Robertson-Kerfoot-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Mikheyev

Knies-Matthews-Marner
Bunting-Tavares-Blackwell
Abruzzese-Kerfoot-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Mikheyev

 

[egd27]

Knies-Matthews-Marner
Bunting-Tavares-Blackwell
Kerfoot-Abruzzese-Nylander
Mikheyev-Kampf-Kase
Engvall/Spezza

Now he's on the 1st line?
Optimism has no boundaries here does it?

 

[ULF_55]

Now he's on the 1st line?
Optimism has no boundaries here does it?

Matthews and marner can do it with anyone.

 

[Avilaj07]

Now he's on the 1st line?
Optimism has no boundaries here does it?

I'm sorry, would you prefer to put him on the 4th line and play 6 minutes a night? If that's the case, why sign him now.

Put the kid in a position he can succeed, and what better way then playing with the teams 2 best players, while also bringing something to the line that would be missing with Bunting moving to the 2nd line

 

[francis246]

If he signs will that burn a year or elc?
That would be monumentally stupid to not have him on an elc when Matty and willy are up.

As long as he doesn’t play 10 games. So they may have to be strategic. BUT if he makes our team better for the playoffs i don’t care. Burn that ELC. We have to stop over analyzing things and worrying about contract this and contract that. Play whoever gives us the best chance to win a cup. If Knies starts going crazy let him go crazy and don’t worry about the burning of an ELC year

 

[ACC1224]

I'm sorry, would you prefer to put him on the 4th line and play 6 minutes a night? If that's the case, why sign him now.

Put the kid in a position he can succeed, and what better way then playing with the teams 2 best players, while also bringing something to the line that would be missing with Bunting moving to the 2nd line

You want to put him into a position to succeed while he gets his feet wet.
Having him face the oppositions best right out of the gate will be difficult.
The NHL game is leaps ahead of the College game.

It doesn't have to be 4th line, 6 minutes a night either.

 

[inthe6ix]

hope they bring him up for the last few games of the regular season

 

[Avilaj07]

hope they bring him up for the last few games of the regular season

If you look at teams that have called up their best prospects for the playoffs, they don't baby them, they put trust in them and give them the best Cl chance to succeed.

McAvoy pretty much played top pairing for Boston when he came in.

Caulfield was getting top 6 minutes and on the 1st powerplay unit.

Those are just 2 from recent memory I can think of.

You're not putting him with irresponsible players either. Matthews and Marner are both solid defensive players.

I'm not saying play him 20 minutes a night but having him on that line while giving him some shifts off depending on the score, would greatly benefit him I believe.

 

[egd27]

I'm sorry, would you prefer to put him on the 4th line and play 6 minutes a night? If that's the case, why sign him now.

Put the kid in a position he can succeed, and what better way then playing with the teams 2 best players, while also bringing something to the line that would be missing with Bunting moving to the 2nd line

No, I would prefer we stop expecting 19 year old boys to step into a playoff line up of supposed Cup contenders having never played a professional game in their lives. To me that is about as far from putting "the kid in a position he can succeed" as you can get.

 

[egd27]

Matthews and marner can do it with anyone.....in the regular season

Made a small edit Ulf.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Play him for 9 games max once we have 97 points in standings and see what he has .. no harm in that one .. gives vets a break at end of season and he gets a chance .. da only advice I can give is he is a winger and with wingers you generally know right away what they got .. if he is big and can create ice for JT and Willy then burn da ELC .. we have to win now .. would be a small miracle as we will need 3 lines who can produce to have any chance at all