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

[Fogelhund]

Nitpicky, but 1st generation immigrant is when you're born in another country and then immigrant to another.

2nd generation is when one or more parent is an immigrant but you were born in the new country.

Knies is 2nd immigrant since he was born in the US to Slovakian parents

Both definitions are used, depending on the organization, person etc...

In this case, it was clear what Zeke was intending.

In some definitions, however, those born to at least one immigrant parent are considered "first generation"[1] — or rather, the first generation of an immigrant's descendants

1. Rumbaut, Rubén G. (2004). "Ages, Life Stages, and Generational Cohorts: Decomposing the Immigrant First and Second Generations in the United States". The International Migration Review. 38 (3): 1160–1205. doi:10.1111/j.1747-7379.2004.tb00232.x. JSTOR 27645429.

 

[zeke]

Ha shoot I should probably have said 1st generation American my bad.

Double checking the definitions.....it seems like America and Canada governments use different definitions of first generation. He's 1st generation American but would be 2nd generation Canadian.

 

[justloveleafs]

That is indeed the video....Kyle Dubas would be advised to wear a graphene bullet proof tshirt when he goes to that house. I coached thousands of talented kids in my day. Loved the kids, but some of the rents? Woof.

And yeah, if you know someone who can get high quality graphene, you can make all your clothes bullet proof.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Man I wish we'd pump the brakes on our prospects sometimes. It just gets too ridiculous, too soon.

 

[SprDaVE]

It's pretty rare a prospect is getting so much attention for their ELC signing. Welcome to Toronto I guess.

Seems more and more likely he'll go back to the NCAA for at least one more year.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

It's pretty rare a prospect is getting so much attention for their ELC signing. Welcome to Toronto I guess.

Seems more and more likely he'll go back to the NCAA for at least one more year.

Why does it seem more and more likely when we haven't had any new information in a month?

Seems like he was always going to wait to meet with the team, I think he wants to know what his opportunity would be starting from day 1.

I don't think he wants to be a bubble player.

To me, it's still 50/50 - same as a month ago. Only thing that could've really changed things if he had won it all this year.

 

[D00bis]

Why does it seem more and more likely when we haven't had any new information in a month?

Seems like he was always going to wait to meet with the team, I think he wants to know what his opportunity would be starting from day 1.

I don't think he wants to be a bubble player.

To me, it's still 50/50 - same as a month ago. Only thing that could've really changed things if he had won it all this year.

His play decides if he’s a bubble player our 2nd-4th line is not set in stone by any means so there’s spots to have if he grabs them. I think he has the tools to do so.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

That is indeed the video....Kyle Dubas would be advised to wear a graphene bullet proof tshirt when he goes to that house. I coached thousands of talented kids in my day. Loved the kids, but some of the rents? Woof.

And yeah, if you know someone who can get high quality graphene, you can make all your clothes bullet proof.

Am I missing something?

They seem like loving, supportive parents, nothing like Marner's Dad.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

His play decides if he’s a bubble player our 2nd-4th line is not set in stone by any means so there’s spots to have if he grabs them. I think he has the tools to do so.

Agreed. I think his position going into the meetings will be that he wants a fair shot, which some teams would struggle with because that means a vet that has played all season sits. Personally, I think he has a real shot at being a black ace for us in the playoffs.

 

[81Leafs50]

Knies needs one more year. I'm ok with him playing another season. He feels like he is on a good team and that they have unfinished business and he wants to win the frozen four. He will be a Leaf eventually and no one should rush him.

 

[Shooter2x]

It's pretty rare a prospect is getting so much attention for their ELC signing. Welcome to Toronto I guess.

Seems more and more likely he'll go back to the NCAA for at least one more year.

cp24 gonna get the chopper out for wednesday

 

[SprDaVE]

Why does it seem more and more likely when we haven't had any new information in a month?

Seems like he was always going to wait to meet with the team, I think he wants to know what his opportunity would be starting from day 1.

I don't think he wants to be a bubble player.

To me, it's still 50/50 - same as a month ago. Only thing that could've really changed things if he had won it all this year.

Mostly because this is typically not something that should require convincing or needs assurance in a face to face meeting. Call it a gut feeling.

He's going to be a bubble player regardless. He hasn't played a single NHL game. They can't promise anything and Knies shouldn't be naive to think that he'll play over NHL veterans no matter what. Who knows how he does if he does play. He's not a John Tavares level free agent here.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Knies needs one more year. I'm ok with him playing another season. He feels like he is on a good team and that they have unfinished business and he wants to win the frozen four. He will be a Leaf eventually and no one should rush him.

Just out of curiosity, why do you think he needs 1 year?

I guess I just don't understand why people think this - are they watching him play in the NCAA? What info do they have that our pro scouting and development teams don't (who seem keen on bringing him into the fold)?

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

The season is over in like two weeks, and he'd still have to relocate to Toronto and probably get a few practices in. The chances of him playing a role on the Leafs this year seems pretty tiny to me. I'd still rather he signs since I think the AHL would be more useful for his development

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Call it a gut feeling. Mostly because this is typically not something that should require convincing or needs assurance in a face to face meeting.

He's going to be a bubble player regardless. He hasn't played a single NHL game. Who knows how he does if he does play. He's not a John Tavares level free agent here.

I don't agree. Not much else to say, I just think that as of today, he outclasses Spezza, Simmonds, Kerfoot, Blackwell, Clifford, and likely Kase (who we probably won't see). I think he would be cemented in. His combination of speed, physicality, and scoring ability would put him above guys who have seniority.

I hate to keep saying it but it really reminds me of the year where McAvoy looked like a man amongst boys in the NCAA and was able to step seamlessly into a role on a very good Bruins team that needed some help on their 3rd pairing.

 

[SprDaVE]

I don't agree. Not much else to say, I just think that as of today, he outclasses Spezza, Simmonds, Kerfoot, Blackwell, Clifford, and likely Kase (who we probably won't see). I think he would be cemented in. His combination of speed, physicality, and scoring ability would put him above guys who have seniority.

I hate to keep saying it but it really reminds me of the year where McAvoy looked like a man amongst boys in the NCAA and was able to step seamlessly into a role on a very good Bruins team that needed some help on their 3rd pairing.

Gotta pump the breaks here a little. He's a great prospect but I think you're getting caught up that he's far better than he is.

Knies seems content in playing for the Gophers next season, or else he would have signed the second he could. And that's ok. He's getting hyped into absurd levels right now.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Gotta pump the breaks here a little. He's a great prospect but I think you're getting caught up that he's far better than he is.

Knies seems content in playing for the Gophers next season, or else he would have signed the second he could. And that's ok. He's getting hyped into absurd levels right now.

I don't agree. It's not really hype, it's a prospect that has a man's body and excellent skill, with ok skating. I don't really see what he has left to learn in the NCAA, where he will just be running over players way below his weight class. Would be a waste of a year.

Hoping he signs and we see him take a real run at our NHL roster this year. If not, I'd still prefer he signs and plays in the AHL against players that are closer to NHL calibre.

 

[SprDaVE]

I don't agree. It's not really hype, it's a prospect that has a man's body and excellent skill, with ok skating. I don't really see what he has left to learn in the NCAA, where he will just be running over players way below his weight class. Would be a waste of a year.

Hoping he signs and we see him take a real run at our NHL roster this year. If not, I'd still prefer he signs and plays in the AHL against players that are closer to NHL calibre.

We tend to agree but saying different things. I do think going back to the NCAA for another year is pointless as well in terms of his development. He'll be 20 in October, which is typically where most top prospects make the transition from junior to pro. Another year of NCAA hockey at his current status seems weird to me but he can still develop other parts of his game while there.

What I'm saying is that right now, expecting Knies to be handed minutes on a cup contender seems a little much. If he needs to be told and assured he'll be playing serious minutes, it's not happening. You either make the jump and work for it, or you wait until you're ready to go through it.

 

[Twine Tickler]

It's pretty rare a prospect is getting so much attention for their ELC signing. Welcome to Toronto I guess.

Seems more and more likely he'll go back to the NCAA for at least one more year.

I still think Kyle having visibility with the Knies family is a very good thing. Obviously the NCAA route leaves that element of risk for UFA after their 3rd year NCAA, so it's really nice that they seem to be prioritizing his development and the relationship they have with him right out of the gate. Afterall he is probably the highest profile NCAA prospect we have ever had.

I really don't suspect Matt Knies will go anywhere else other than Toronto even if he were to return to school for next year. Toronto is legitimately the best scenario for him with AM34 being the most natural mentor in the game for him.

That all said, If we present Matt with an ELC he would have to be a complete idiot to turn it down IMO. You are always 1 game away from a career ending or halting injury, and you are guaranteed nothing but an education in the NCAA. Plus I know most schools, including Minnesota give out lifetime scholarships. I am sure this is all dependent on the recruit itself, but usually high profile recruits (like Knies) will be given this luxury by most reputable programs. I know this first hand from from someone who played for the University of Minnesota and returned to school after his career was cut short due to injury.

Matt Knies is ready for the pro game. I am sure he loved playing in Minnesota, and it is likely very hard for him to walk away from a staff and team that likely means a lot to him. But ultimately, money talks and the opportunity to be in the NHL at 19 and playing with some of the best players in the game is likely going to be too much to pass up.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

We tend to agree but saying different things. I do think going back to the NCAA for another year is pointless as well in terms of his development. He'll be 20 in October, which is typically where most top prospects make the transition from junior to pro.

What I'm saying is that right now, expecting Knies to be handed minutes on a cup contender seems a little much. If he needs to be told and assured he'll be playing serious minutes, it's not happening. You either make the jump and work for it, or you wait until you're ready to go through it.

Yes, I think we are on the same page in some regards.

I do think he would earn top 9 minutes this season, which is where I think we disagree. His size/athleticism is where I think he can leapfrog more established players, and he already has a better shot than all but AM, MM, JT, WN and maybe 1 or 2 more guys. Those 2 qualities are things we really hard a hard time bringing in, as they are 2 of the more expensive qualities to acquire.

 

[Oscar Peterson]

I really don't suspect Matt Knies will go anywhere else other than Toronto even if he were to return to school for next year. Toronto is legitimately the best scenario for him with AM34 being the most natural mentor in the game for him.

Zero chance, Knies idolized Matthews growing up and has already stated that being drafted by the same organization is like a dream come true.

 

[Twine Tickler]

Zero chance, Knies idolized Matthews growing up and has already stated that being drafted by the same organization is like a dream come true.

Yup, and I really think Auston is ready to be that mentor at this point in his career. It really could be double serving to see Knies improve as a player, and Auston improve as a leader.

I just cannot see Knies going back to school despite the latest reports of him leaning that way.

He's meeting with Kyle in person I assume, and hasn't there been reports of Auston reaching out to him? No way he says no to Auston.

 

[meefer]

I have no idea what the kid wants to do. Frankly, I suspect nobody else here does either. What little I've seen has impressed me, and to varying degrees of watching him, I'd guess many here are impressed as well.

But, I'd suggest few of us here have watched him as intently as the team has. I believe they have the best 'take' on how capable he is of making the jump. I'd love to see a competent version of him on Tavares's line with Willy because I believe he'd add that need. Someone to help facilitate the cycle and bring some power down low. Can he do it? I have no idea.

However this plays out, I see Knies as a top tier prospect who may, or not, need more time to develop into the player we hope he becomes. If it's this month, bonus, if later so be it. Most importantly, and I believe the current administration's philosophy, let the player develop into the best version they can be in the time required for that version to emerge. In Knies's case, I suspect that is based on his maturity/emotional strength more than his hockey skills. If he has anything like a Matthews' belief in self, he might be capable of a successful jump, he is a talent...but if he needs more time because he will crumble in the crucible at his young age, don't force it.

 

[francis246]

Nitpicky, but 1st generation immigrant is when you're born in another country and then immigrant to another.

2nd generation is when one or more parent is an immigrant but you were born in the new country.

Knies is 2nd immigrant since he was born in the US to Slovakian parents

Knies is a first generation American. His parents were not born in America.

Second generation American would be if your parents were born in America and then you were then born in America.

He and his siblings are the first generation in the Knies family to be born in America, which would make them 1st generation American but 2nd generation immigrant.

So in away everyone is right!

 

[Stephen]

I find the idea of a Leafs all-in run including Knies to be a little optimistic. He’s just a kid and a second round pick, it’s not like we’re adding a 19 year old Auston Matthews to the mix. But if the organization truly thinks adding Knies now is super important, I’m on board with it. That said, I haven’t loved the way they get super hot on a prospect only to be disappointed and put them back into a more conventional development timeline (Robertson).