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

[horner]

Ben Meyers signed with Colorado.
Strange not much room for him there.

 

[Deebo]

Only having 2 years of history to negoatiate a 2nd can help the AAV of the 2nd contract.

 

[93LEAFS]

I don't disagree at all with what you are saying in that there are NCAA schools that go above and beyond what even other large schools do in terms of athletic spending because of the alumni groups, etc... For football and basketball, Minnesota is definitely not in that group. However, Minnesota's hockey program is one of only a few in the NCAA that are actually revenue producers (I believe only UND and Wisconsin have been profitable as well in the past). I would contest that Minnesota spends as much, if not much more, on hockey than schools like Michigan and Ohio State, even though both of those schools spend considerably more on other sports than Minnesota.

Fair point, I just mean athletic facilities for working out and such even if paid for for the Football team give all sports access. So it has a crossover effect. But Hockey Only facilities Minnesota would be near the top alongside NoDak.

 

[cyris]

Do playoff games count towards burning a year off his ELC?
Because otherwise there aren’t enough games left in the season to do it.

 

[CupcakeSprinkles]

Do playoff games count towards burning a year off his ELC?
Because otherwise there aren’t enough games left in the season to do it.

Yes.

 

[TheShape]

When I first heard about the leafs wanting to bring him over I thought it was a narrative being pushed by the media but now its clear the leafs actually did want this... It's strange, I fail to see the logic in it.

I think the organization just wants him signed and not take any chances, don’t want an Adam Fox situation.

I haven’t been following this that closely but is there no interest in Knies joining the Marlies? Feel that’s better for his playing development than another year in NCAA.

 

[Peasy]

I think the organization just wants him signed and not take any chances, don’t want an Adam Fox situation.

I haven’t been following this that closely but is there no interest in Knies joining the Marlies? Feel that’s better for his playing development than another year in NCAA.

Most players would pick the NCAA over the AHL I think. Ahl isn't that fun of a league to play in. Long bus rides, lots of games, sometimes 3 games in a row. Lots of goons in the AHL too.

 

[Peasy]

Do playoff games count towards burning a year off his ELC?
Because otherwise there aren’t enough games left in the season to do it.

NCAA players signing mid season kinda have different rules than your standard 10 games on your elc and you burn a year. I don't know the full extent of it but usually if he were to play a game it would burn a year of his ELC. Hell I'm pretty sure Owen Power burned a year of his ELC by just signing his contract due to something to do with his age.

 

[TheShape]

Most players would pick the NCAA over the AHL I think. Ahl isn't that fun of a league to play in. Long bus rides, lots of games, sometimes 3 games in a row. Lots of goons in the AHL too.

Yeah I get that, but produce down there and strong chance he’s called up to the leafs. Our LW is bare next year, he will have opportunity.

 

[40BayStreet]

Do playoff games count towards burning a year off his ELC?
Because otherwise there aren’t enough games left in the season to do it.

I believe if you come over from the NCAA, playing in 1 game burns a year off your ELC. I am not sure 100% if that goes for a draft pick though. But a College Free Agent can burn a year by playing in a single NHL game.

 

[Tak7]

I’m not suggesting Robertson’s been derailed by being brought on too early, just that it’s a largely pointless exercise. He scored a goal in the bubble but then they scratched him in the elimination game having pumped his tires for the whole training camp back. It’s just an impatient, new toy approach.

Scratching him was a mistake, but in the moment you could understand their logic - AJ was Keefe's guy. Someone he's comfortable with and someone who played really well for Keefe during the AHL playoffs the year before.

Again, they didn't rush Robertson - he earned his shot, and for the most part, made good with it. With what little bits of NHL hockey he's been given, including earlier this year, he's looked good with his opportunity. Not the polished article, but definitely someone who has benefited from the way he's been handled.

 

[Tak7]

When I first heard about the leafs wanting to bring him over I thought it was a narrative being pushed by the media but now its clear the leafs actually did want this... It's strange, I fail to see the logic in it.

We are seeing it league wide - lots of teams trying to get college guys into NHL situations.

I would assume that it allows you to assess the prospect sooner, and start him on the path of guided development quicker.

Can definitely understand the team's motivation for doing so.

I must admit, I'm unclear as to why a prospect would reject that opportunity to get closer to the NHL, sooner.

 

[Rob Brown]

I think the organization just wants him signed and not take any chances, don’t want an Adam Fox situation.

I haven’t been following this that closely but is there no interest in Knies joining the Marlies? Feel that’s better for his playing development than another year in NCAA.

I don't think we're really at risk of an Adam Fox situation, to be honest.

 

[Stephen]

Scratching him was a mistake, but in the moment you could understand their logic - AJ was Keefe's guy. Someone he's comfortable with and someone who played really well for Keefe during the AHL playoffs the year before.

Again, they didn't rush Robertson - he earned his shot, and for the most part, made good with it. With what little bits of NHL hockey he's been given, including earlier this year, he's looked good with his opportunity. Not the polished article, but definitely someone who has benefited from the way he's been handled.

I’m just skeptical of the Leafs approach to accelerating a prospect development and promotion timeline and then somehow acting surprised if and when they didn’t catch fire right away like a 19 year old rookie Matthews one or two games into the process.

Knies is great. Robertson is lovely yada yada but compared to how slowly they brought up a first rounder like Kasperi Kapanen into regular duty, I’m just scratching my head at why they are in such a rush to make things happen with these 2nd round boom prospects. In 12 months time they think Knies can go from the USHL to playing a role in a successful cup run? I don’t want to push back too much on it but man talk about a galaxy brain approach.

 

[notbias]

Ben Meyers signed with Colorado.
Strange not much room for him there.

Does Colorado have any 2nd line players signed next year?

 

[stickty111]

 

[Peasy]

We are seeing it league wide - lots of teams trying to get college guys into NHL situations.

I would assume that it allows you to assess the prospect sooner, and start him on the path of guided development quicker.

Can definitely understand the team's motivation for doing so.

I must admit, I'm unclear as to why a prospect would reject that opportunity to get closer to the NHL, sooner.

The guys you see signing from Knies' draft are all top 10 picks and played in the NCAA for 2 years already. Luke Hughes, 4th overall who only played 1 year in the NCAA is going back. It is very common for prospects to play 2 years in the NCAA. Caufield, Boldy, Knight, Sanderson, Boeser, Makar, Hughes etc all played two seasons in the NCAA before going to the NHL.

 

[Bigmarycombo]

It seems like most players are cashing in on their next contract after their elc. If I’m the avs burn this year and resign him next year before he breaks out and costs you much more money

 

[saltming]

Hurry up and wait now

 

[The Masters]

Dubas sold him i think and was sincere about it

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

The guys you see signing from Knies' draft are all top 10 picks and played in the NCAA for 2 years already. Luke Hughes, 4th overall who only played 1 year in the NCAA is going back. It is very common for prospects to play 2 years in the NCAA. Caufield, Boldy, Knight, Sanderson, Boeser, Makar, Hughes etc all played two seasons in the NCAA before going to the NHL.

I feel like this is a bit of an insincere argument when you look at birth dates. Sanderson was drafted a year earlier and entered school a year earlier despite only being 4 months older, due to timing.

 

[Peasy]

I feel like this is a bit of an insincere argument when you look at birth dates. Sanderson was drafted a year earlier and entered school a year earlier despite only being 4 months older, due to timing.

Yeah I get hes a year older at that stage but its not like the NCAA is horrible at development. He can still learn a lot going back for another year. I just don't see the reason to rush it this season and waste an ELC year. They will have him this time come next year and he will be more ready to contribute then.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Yeah I get hes a year older at that stage but its not like the NCAA is horrible at development. He can still learn a lot going back for another year. I just don't see the reason to rush it this season and waste an ELC year. They will have him this time come next year and he will be more ready to contribute then.

People keep saying they don't see the rush, but I just don't see the hesitation. Why let him waste a year in a league where he is already physically dominating. Hard to learn when you have 30lbs on most of your opponents.

I'm hoping we see him in a higher league where he won't be able to bulldoze his way to success. Every time I watched him this year I kept asking myself if his habits were going to keep working at higher levels where everyone is big and strong.

 

[Tak7]

I’m just skeptical of the Leafs approach to accelerating a prospect development and promotion timeline and then somehow acting surprised if and when they didn’t catch fire right away like a 19 year old rookie Matthews one or two games into the process.

Knies is great. Robertson is lovely yada yada but compared to how slowly they brought up a first rounder like Kasperi Kapanen into regular duty, I’m just scratching my head at why they are in such a rush to make things happen with these 2nd round boom prospects. In 12 months time they think Knies can go from the USHL to playing a role in a successful cup run? I don’t want to push back too much on it but man talk about a galaxy brain approach.

I replied to someone else about it, but it's worth pointing out that quite a lot of teams seem to be doing this with the college kids - I think 5 or 6 college guys made their debuts league wide last night.

I do think there's value in getting these kids over & getting a closer look at them, and integrating them into a development program etc.

 

[Fogelhund]

Ben Meyers signed with Colorado.
Strange not much room for him there.

Kadri will be gone at the end of the year.