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

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Knies iT said:
Realistically though there's not enough room for both Abruzzese and Knies at the same time.

Gives the Leafs a window to see if Abruzzese is ready, and if not, Knies can get his look after.
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Sure they can. You can run this:

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

Scratch: Spezza and Simmonds
 
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I'm sure this is probably somewhere in this thread, but I wanted to hear Knies speak and specifically about being drafted by the Leafs. Never know how much a young kid is coached up on what to say, but it leads me to believe he'll have a very hard time saying no to joining Auston Matthews here if Kyle woos him. Was very fired up about being drafted by an O6 team. Said it was a dream come true and the one team you want to get drafted by. Oh, and he was extremely excited about Matthews being here.

Knies speaks around 2:12 into this short spiel on being drafted by Leafs:




And this is the vid Ron mentioned on HNIC in Canada that he found "on Google" regarding Knies...

 
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Watching Knies, I like his style but he does look like his head is down alot, could set him up injury issues once he's playing in the NHL.
 
This is the type of guy whose game translates directly to the NHL.
Right now has the physicality, puck skills, and shooting ability to hop right onto any NHL team.

I really see him meshing well with Tavares.

Tavares and Knies could create tons of havoc around the net, which would allow Nylander's playmaking ability to shine.

Knies- Tavares - Nylander could work very well.
 
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"I have a huge fear of losing, and I just really want to win." --Matthew Knies

And, his favorite player growing up was one of Matthews' heroes, Shane Doan.

Then, don't watch the Leafs on TV in the 1st round, get on the ice and help the boys get off the schneid.

 
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riffle said:
Doesn't take a fortune-teller to understand what Knies is going to do when the Gophers are done at the Frozen Four. Welcome, aboard...

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Jesus if these kid pans, he'll make the 2nd line in no time and might be that wrecking ball skilled power forward we'd always dreamed of.
 
2legit2quit said:
No, not really, apart from him playing infront of the net, those 2 have nothing in common.

JVR is a soft skill player.

Knies has more Tom Wilson to his game.
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I like the Jamie Benn comparison the most. With a bit of a Tkachuk brother mix.
 
Fonzieleaf said:
Not sad at all. It's not like we are desperately needing his assistance.
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Anything that makes the Leafs a better team before the playoffs is huge.

If he comes up, is able to dominate possession while making skilled plays, he'll be playing with Nylander or Tavares. That'll be a huge upgrade to our top 9.
 
I have never heard a guy, who hasn't played a single game in the AHL much less the NHL, talks this openly about his strengths.

My expectations for this tremendous pick, were always tempered, but not now. Ken Dryden came out of freaking college like this kid and carried the Canadiens to a Cup.

I am expecting the same here. I really am.

Hey I dozed off, with my Leafs toque on, maybe it had a homer effect?
 
He'll be 20 in October, so he is a late birth, missed previous draft by 32 -33 days.

He is full size, not a small kid who'll be thrown around easily.

I guess the one question might be would he rather play in the AHL or the NCAA?

Not saying he'd play in the AHL, but that option would be there if he struggled in the NHL next year.

For us fans, my guess is the majority want him to take that chance, but will his family?

He'd be waiver exempt so I suspect Leafs would use every strategy make him whole.

Bunting-Matthews-marner
Knies-Tavares-Nylander

Yep, we just really want to see that.
 
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ULF_55 said:
He'll be 20 in October, so he is a late birth, missed previous draft by 32 -33 days.

He is full size, not a small kid who'll be thrown around easily.

I guess the one question might be would he rather play in the AHL or the NCAA?

Not saying he'd play in the AHL, but that option would be there if he struggled in the NHL next year.

For us fans, my guess is the majority want him to take that chance, but will his family?

He'd be waiver exempt so I suspect Leafs would use every strategy make him whole.

Bunting-Matthews-marner
Knies-Tavares-Nylander

Yep, we just really want to see that.
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I think it really depends on what offseason moves Dubas or the new Management makes in the offseason. Personally I would like him to spend another year in College again unless he is ready. He is only 20 and never played professionally.
 
Funk21 said:
I think it really depends on what offseason moves Dubas or the new Management makes in the offseason. Personally I would like him to spend another year in College again unless he is ready. He is only 20 and never played professionally.
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I am not concerned that he has never played professionally.
Although CHL is a professional league, it isn't like it is a men's professional league, and the better players from junior can make the NHL a year after being drafted, and he'll be 20 by the time the season is 2 weeks old. Players from the CHL can play AHL at that age.
 
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