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

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93LEAFS said:
Power 5 sports teams have unreal facilities as it's a major part of recruiting for the money sports (Football and Basketball). Minnesota isn't a top-tier Football program, but they are still a school with a large booster association, Power-5 level facilities, and a passionate hockey fanbase (which likely means they have strong hockey facilities due to donations for it by big Boosters).

A lot of player development is also in the off-season. During the season you are just trying to get through the grind (especially with the schedule NHL/AHL level). A lot of Matthews and Tavares's development for example can be attributed to private skill coaches they worked with during the off-season. Matthews worked with Belfry from like 17 on, and Tavares worked with Dawn Braid for skating for example. Whether he stays or comes here, he should easily be able to finance high-level private coaching, and while the Minnesota area isn't quite the GTA in regards to private coaches, it is one of the major training hubs for NHLers in the offseason (Boston and Vancouver being others) and has the private coaching to reflect that.
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I get that. But what Im saying is that it doesn't come close to what he can get from a Toronto developmental stand point. Whatever he can get in Minny, he can easily get and more in Toronto by just going to the rink or going through whatever his agent can arrange in terms of being private development coaches or from the Leafs. It's a big reason why top prospects don't stay years in the NCAA for their 4 years,

But either way, I don't really mind what he does. He can benefit either way. I just think that if he's ready for it and the Leafs think he's ready for it, waiting a year seems illogical.
 
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SprDaVE said:
I get that. But what Im saying is that it doesn't come close to what he can get from a Toronto developmental stand point. Whatever he can get in Minny, he can easily get and more in Toronto by just going to the rink or going through whatever his agent can arrange in terms of being private development coaches.

But either way, I don't really mind what he does. He can benefit either way. I just think that if he's ready for it and the Leafs think he's ready for it, waiting a year seems illogical.
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I honestly don't think there is much of a difference on a long-term outlook for the player whether he's in the AHL or in the NCAA next year. It's also easier to work on flaws playing against lower level competition, which is why I find the rush to put CHL guys in the AHL a bit ridiculous, as it historically hasn't paid off in the cases of imports being rushed to it (Honka and A. Nylander being the notable examples).
 
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93LEAFS said:
Power 5 sports teams have unreal facilities as it's a major part of recruiting for the money sports (Football and Basketball). Minnesota isn't a top-tier Football program, but they are still a school with a large booster association, Power-5 level facilities, and a passionate hockey fanbase (which likely means they have strong hockey facilities due to donations for it by big Boosters).

A lot of player development is also in the off-season. During the season you are just trying to get through the grind (especially with the schedule NHL/AHL level). A lot of Matthews and Tavares's development for example can be attributed to private skill coaches they worked with during the off-season. Matthews worked with Belfry from like 17 on, and Tavares worked with Dawn Braid for skating for example. Whether he stays or comes here, he should easily be able to finance high-level private coaching, and while the Minnesota area isn't quite the GTA in regards to private coaches, it is one of the major training hubs for NHLers in the offseason (Boston and Vancouver being others) and has the private coaching to reflect that.
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The Gophers athletic operations budget is well over 100 million. Now obviously that's not all going to hockey, but it's definitely leading to top tier facilities outside of an actual NHL team. He's not going to be short of resources (including those from private sector even) if he opts to stay down
 
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Menzinger said:
The Gophers athletic operations budget is well over 100 million. Now obviously that's not all going to hockey, but it's definitely leading to top tier facilities outside of an actual NHL team. He's not going to be short of resources (including those from private sector even) if he opts to stay down
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Yeah, no shots at Minnesota. There are just certain Power 5 schools that just operate in a different universe due to insane boosters/fan base. Prime examples are Texas, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, Alabama, etc. Donation culture is huge in the United States for peoples high-schools or Universities. I did a tour of Texas and the stadium had 4 statues, 2 of previous Heisman Winners, and two of their most prominent boosters. Multiple big money sports owners put massive money into their alma matter like Stephen Ross of the Dolphins with Michigan, Jimmy Haslem of the Browns with Tennessee, etc. An example in hockey is Terry Pegula who basically funded the start of Penn States D1 hockey team. NoDak even as a small scale school for Basketball and Football (the money sports), has insane hockey facilities because Ralph Englestad donated 100 million 20 years ago for a new arena.
 
The puck drops @ 8:30pm on ESPNU. Apparently if you sign up for online coverage you recieve a week viewing for free! That's enough to catch the rest of the tournament.
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Comparing his highlights to Abrueszze, he looks far more NHL ready than him.
With that being said, Abrueszze is able to hold his own on the 3rd line in the NHL. So what does that say about Knies?


I'd say, we don't waste a season of Matthews and Marners, as both are in their primes.

Any transaction that improves our roster should be looked at.
If he doesn't want to join the Leafs for the playoffs, we can try blackmailing him or putting some real pressure on his agent.
 
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He has a legitimate shot to crack the roster full time next year but I think if he wants to be that top 6 player he might want to go back to keep developing. Really hard to say honestly. Amazing freshman season from the kid. Can’t wait to see how he progresses
 
Good support player. He will be a good fit with Marner and Matthews or Nylander and Tavares. Not sure he is ready for the big show yet but hopefully he gets a taste this season to see what he needs to do to be ready for next season. Really impressed with Meyers...hopefully we can sign him too.
 
If I'm leafs management I'm only bringing him over if I know that he'll be a regular in the current lineup and help contribute in the playoffs. If not, then just give him another year to develop. He's a promising prospect, no reason to rush him.
 
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I think he's ready and should make the jump but ONLY if our coaching staff is ready to run with him in a top 9 role, guaranteed. He still needs to develop and being on the 4th line just wont cut it in terms of development. So lets bring him over and give him a min 14+min per game. If he doesn't settle in by the playoffs we can reevaluate then.
 
showtime8 said:
Well, I'm fairly confident that he is signing with the Leafs if Dreger is saying he isn't. haha

2 full years in the USHL, 1 year in the NCAA. Kid looks physically ready for the NHL game and could help anywhere in the top 3 lines with the Leafs.
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Nah he basically told a reporter he doesn't feel like he's ready yet and doesn't want to rush it and will have to see
 
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